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Comedy
Speed Slating
By coosh
31 October 2006
[LOU AND DEBBIE ARE SAT OPPOSITE EACH OTHER AT A TABLE IN A WINE BAR, ON A SPEED-DATING NIGHT FOR THE OVER 35s. DEBBIE IS DRUNK, AND USING AN “INVISIBLE” HANDS-FREE MOBILE]

DEBBIE: Hello…

LOU:  Hi, my name’s Lou. Don’t be nervous, Debbie, I’ve been speed-dating for many years now. You look like the sort of person with whom I can communicate -

DEBBIE [DRINKS FROM GLASS, LOOKING AT LOU] Hello?

LOU:  Yes. Hello. My name’s-

DEBBIE: Can you put your head between your legs?
 

LOU:  Pardon?

DEBBIE: And breathe. Go on, breeethe. In, out, In, out, like a dolphin. And then drink a glass of water the wrong way.

LOU:  Couldn’t we do the introductions first, I’m-

DEBBIE [TO LOU]: Will you shut up a minute. Can’t you see I’m on the phone to my husband…. [BACK TO PHONE, BUT STILL LOOKING AT LOU] For God’s sake, are you brain-dead as well as impotent?

LOU:  Er-

DEBBIE: If you can’t stick it between your legs, then stick it in the oven and switch the gas on. That’ll cure it. Now, bugger off!

LOU:  Everything all right? Apart from your, er- husband…

DEBBIE: We’re separated. But attached umbilically by the phone. Rings me at the drop of a hat. Useless wimp. And never listens to a word I say.

LOU:  Perhaps we could –

DEBBIE: Frankly, no, everything’s not all right. I’m beginning to wish I’d stayed at home and washed the dog. God I’ve met some cretins in here tonight. Are there any real men left in the world?

LOU:  That’s interesting. How often-

DEBBIE: So far, I’ve had a tiddlywinks champion, a man who designs windscreen wipers, and a bloke who collects stuffed tortoises….

[TAKES OUT A WHISKY FLASK AND BEGINS POURING INTO HER GLASS OF RED WINE]

DEBBIE: I mean what is the point of stuffing a tortoise? Come out o’ your shell for God’s sake. Live a little!

[TAKES A LARGE SWIG FROM THE GLASS. LOOKING AT HER PREVIOUS DATE, OFF-CAMERA, TO LOU’S LEFT]

DEBBIE: Yes, you pal! Why not stuff a few stick insects while yer at it?! Or would that be too much excitement for your pacemaker?

LOU:  I’m Lou, by the way. So, how-

DEBBIE: I need a Renaissance man, Lou. A man who can build a sports car, landscape a garden, cook a lobster. And in the afternoon, sing La Traviata whilst rodgering me senseless every which way over a washing machine on a rinse cycle. You think I’m being demanding?

LOU:  I was going to ask you…

DEBBIE: A man with a highly-tuned mind, who excites me with his innermost thoughts. Deep, meaningful and searching questions…

LOU:  How often do you wash your dog?

DEBBIE: Eh? It was a metaphorical dog. And I wash it metaphorically. I think it’s important to be clear about things from the off, don’t you? [LOOKING AT THE SHEET ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF HER] You haven’t put anything for occupation. Tell me, please, Lou, you have an enthrallingly fascinating job.
 

LOU:  Yes, I do. I’m a statistician.

DEBBIE: God preserve us. I’d rather you’d said unemployed.

LOU:  What’s wrong with that?

DEBBIE: It’s hardly up there with gun-runners, diamond dealers and stunt men, is it. I mean, how many films has Charles Bronson made called “The Statistician”?

LOU:  I don’t know.

DEBBIE [SWIGGING HER WINE]: Well, you should. You’re a bloody statish, stashit, whatever… Aren’t you all dull, grey, charmless people, who work in dry offices and stare at computer screens all day?

LOU:  Well, that’s only forty-three per cent of us. The rest are vapid, tedious nerds.

[DEBBIE LOOKS AT HIM BLANKLY]

LOU:  That’s a statistician’s joke. I’ve put “good sense of humour” on the intro sheet, I think you’ll find.

DEBBIE [LOOKING AT THE SHEET OF PAPER]: Oh, yes. “Vivacious wit”. Someone’s changed the “w” to a “t”.

LOU:  If you venture underneath the grey cardigan, Debbie, you’ll find I’m a very jolly and engaging character. I’m contagious. Everyone I meet is affected by me. And you know why?

[DEBBIE MUMBLES AND DRINKS]

LOU:  Because statistics are such fascinating creatures. They can cover anything. Tropical islands, luxury yachts, extreme sports…

DEBBIE: And what do you specialise in?

LOU:  Buses, mainly.

DEBBIE: How many times have you been speed-dating, Lou? To the nearest hundred.

LOU:  A few. 

DEBBIE: And when was the last time you had sex? With a woman. 
  

LOU:  I don’t see what that-

DEBBIE: Examine yourself, Lou. Look at the inner Lou, Lou. Ask yourself why you are such a pathetic, repulsive, wimpish creature. Do something, Lou. Do something wild and crazy and spontaneous. Do it, Lou. Right now.

LOU:  Like what?

DEBBIE: I don’t know. Get your cock out.

LOU:  What good would that do?

DEBBIE: Well, at least it would show some balls. [GETTING UP UNSTEADILY] Or maybe not. I’m going home, now. I’m fed up. Another wasted evening. With another load of wasted members of the male population.

[DEBBIE LEAVES. LOU LOOKS AT THE SHEET OF PAPER ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF HIM]

LOU:  Interesting.

[THE NEXT DATE ARRIVES. SHE IS A VICAR]

NEXT DATE: Hello, I’m Ursula. Don’t be put off by the collar. I have a vast and intimate experience of men of all denominations. In fact, you could say I bring men and women together.

LOU:  You’re not another marriage guidance counsellor, are you?
  


  


 

Reviews

Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3362 comments posted) 31st October 2006
I liked this.coosh, you have a good ear for funny repartee and managed to keep the interest and humour going. I noticed you gave all the best lines to teh woman, not that I'm complaining but it does make the the chat a bit one sided and I was expecting a better ending, it needed a good gag to end with. It was great fun to read though 
cheers 
BBS
Agreed
Written by givitsum (651 comments posted) 31st October 2006
I agree with our learned blonde mate here coosh, I think you maintained it all the way through, but it would have been the icing had you conjured a better ending. 
 
Still, enjoyable and well written as ever.  
 
Rgds 
 
Givitsum

Written by coosh (868 comments posted) 1st November 2006
Thank you both, BBS and Givitsum. Yes, I agree it needs work in the pay-off department... and a few better lines for the man... but the idea struck me as being worth it. Many thanks for your constructive input, which is always appreciated.
Well I laughed!
Written by Clifftown (620 comments posted) 1st November 2006
Really do wish I had the critical eye for this sort of stuff as Givitsum and BBS have expertly displayed above (as well as wishing I could write stuff like this in the first place!) - all I can say, totally un-expertly, is that I thought this was hilarious, particularly the “vivacious wit” line. I must say though, anyone who goes to a speed dating night for the over 35's deserves all they get.

Written by Phil (6730 comments posted) 1st November 2006
Enjoyed this but have to agree with above. You maintained humour throughout but do need an ending with a little more punch. Nonetheless, enjoyable. 
 
All the best, 
 
Phil.

Written by coosh (868 comments posted) 2nd November 2006
Thank you, Clifftown. If you laughed, then something went right. That is, after all, the intention. I've no idea whether there are age categories and stuff for speed dating; it was just an assumption; perhaps I should have packed the wife off somewhere for the week-end and done some proper research. Many thanks for your comments. 
 
Thanks Phil. Yep, that is the general consensus, with which I concur. Thank you, once again, for your feedback.

Written by woody44 (775 comments posted) 3rd November 2006
Another cracking piece David. You have an ear for dialogue which moves things along. I agree with Jane and Chris re the ending, always difficult, but worth it when it happens! 
 
happy writing 
Woody

Written by coosh (868 comments posted) 3rd November 2006
Thanks, Woody. Totally agree - makes such a difference when the punch really comes off at the end.
I like it...
Written by Talisker (1326 comments posted) 9th November 2006
But not quite as good as Ukraine Coffee. It does petre out a bit at the end. 
 
What you are exceptionaly good at is believable dialogue. Very engaging. I can SEE the characters. A true talent. 
 
Oli :grin

Written by coosh (868 comments posted) 10th November 2006
Thanks for the kind words. Yeah, the ending was a bit of a tag-on, rather than a starting point. Cheers.

Written by ellipinnock (1753 comments posted) 14th November 2006
Sod the ending, I enjoyed the rest of it and endings are over-rated anyway.  
 
'Ask yourself why you are such a pathetic, repulsive, wimpish creature.' 
 
Er...dunno miss 
 
Brilliant :) 
 
Elli

Written by coosh (868 comments posted) 15th November 2006
I knew my headmistress's words would come back to haunt me some day. Cheers, Elli. Much appreciated.

Written by Seagull (174 comments posted) 23rd July 2007
Liked this and agree with comments re more good lines for Lou and a stronger ending. You have an ear for good natural dialogue which I find is the most difficult element to sustain through a piece.

Written by coosh (868 comments posted) 23rd July 2007
Seems like you've dug up some ancient history - in dire need of rewriting. My thanks to you Seagull for the feedback. When time allows, I'll dip back into GW and have a wee butcher's at your postings.

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