Free Love of Her Life by C.Y. Dillon Page A

father, short, balding, pudgy, constant poker face) puts napkins in front of them.  On his uniform is a name badge, "Davis". 
     
    BARTENDER
    What's your pleasure?
     
    His voice is high-toned and he has a heavy Southern drawl. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Anything with chocolate. 
     
    He studies her a moment. 
     
    BARTENDER
    You look like a Peppermint Patty. 
     
    Harmonia laughs. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Perfect.  Who taught you to mind
    read?
     
    Eric thrums his fingers on the bar. 
     
    ERIC
    Bourbon for me. 
     
    Harmonia closes her eyes. 
     
    HARMONIA
    I don't mean to be rude, but would
    you please sit somewhere else?
     
    Eric moves one stool over.  Harmonia mutters as she rummages through her purse. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Send in the clowns. 
     
    She removes a PHOTO of a man standing by a river in a forest. 
     
    The Bartender makes the Peppermint Patty - hot cocoa, a generous splash of peppermint liqueur, a towering swirl of whipped cream. 
     
    He gives the consolation prize to Harmonia.  He pours a shot
    of bourbon and takes it to a table. 
     
    BARTENDER
    You heard the lady. 
     
    Eric follows the bourbon. 
     
    Harmonia licks whipped cream off the straw and gazes at the face in the photo. 
     
    BARTENDER
    Let me know if there is anything
    else I can do for you, sister. 
     
    She smiles. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Sister.  That's cute.  Must be a
    southern thing. 
     
    BARTENDER
    Born and raised. 
     
    HARMONIA
    I have a friend who lived in New
    Orleans.  He calls me 'little sister'. 
     
    She shows the photo to the bartender. 
     
    BARTENDER
    It's a show of affection. 
     
    The Bartender nods and motions that he's got a new customer to tend to.  He takes care of business. 
     
    Harmonia gives her complete attention to the Peppermint Patty.  With the straw, she doodles in the whipped cream.  She gazes at it and smiles.  She sips and savors. 
     
    The Bartender returns. 
     
    BARTENDER
    Your boyfriend couldn't make it?
     
    She shakes her head. 
     
    HARMONIA
    We're only friends.  We've never met
    in person.  He was supposed to be on
    this boat, see if we could be more. 
     
    BARTENDER
    So you're a free bird. 
     
    She gives him a curious once-over. 
     
    HARMONIA
    You talk an awful lot like him. 
     
    BARTENDER
    You said he's from these parts. 
     
    HARMONIA
    His accent isn't as strong as yours. 
     
    Another customer sits.  The Bartender takes care of business. 
     
    She stirs the last remnant of whipped cream into the cocoa. 
     
    The Bartender returns. 
     
    BARTENDER
    You were right ticked when you came
    in here.  You must have been excited
    at the prospect of meeting him. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Mind reading again. 
     
    BARTENDER
    First time on the river, sister?
     
    HARMONIA
    Yes.  And the only time. 
     
    BARTENDER
    No repeats, huh?
     
    She eyes him. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Am I that common? 
     
    BARTENDER
    In my line of work you learn to read
    people.  You're the kind who keeps a
    list of things you want to do in
    this lifetime. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Wow.  You're psychic. 
     
    Another customer sits at the bar.  The Bartender tends to his business. 
     
    Harmonia watches him with intrigue and murmurs to herself. 
     
    HARMONIA
    You wouldn't.  No, Orion, you know
    better than to do that. 
     
    Mike slides onto the stool next to her. 
     
    MIKE
    Will you have dinner with me?  We
    can at least be friendly. 
     
    She sags in defeat.  She doesn't look at Mike. 
     
    HARMONIA
    How could you do this to me, Ri? 
    Where is he going to sleep?
     
    Mike's eyes widen. 
     
    MIKE
    I swear, I won't touch you unless
    you ask me to. 
     
    HARMONIA
    I can't bear the thought--
     
    MIKE
    Don't be like that. 
     
    HARMONIA
    --of another man touching me.  Yes,
    I said you could send a delegate,
    but you had to know I was joking--
     
    The Bartender returns to take Mike's order. 
     
    MIKE
    Cape Cod. 
     
    HARMONIA
    --I never thought you would take it--
     
    MIKE
    Listen, Harmonia.  I swear to