A Man Stands on the Corner (A dialogue)

*Note: The "M" represents the man, while the "W" represents the woman speaker.

A man is standing at a corner, the wind is blowing and the trees are dead; it’s winter. He looks at the flashing ‘don’t walk’ sign and sighs.

M: [Under his breath] I miss my friends.

Solemnly, and carefully he reaches into his left, front pant pocket, removing a small, crinkled box. He pops it open, extracting his last cigarrette. He arches his neck and tilts his head as he flicks his lighter, shielding the flame from the relentless gale.

M: [Sadly; reproachfully] How did this happen? I never thought…

He pauses as he watches a car speeding along the empty road, approaching him quickly. He stares, unblinking, sure that he is mistaken in thinking that he recognizes it. However, as the car grows closer, it slows and eventually comes to a stop. A woman emerges, looking shaken. The two look at one another. Neither move or say a thing. She shivers and draws her shawl close to her chest.

M: [Cold; without feeling] You came… You… I didn’t think…
W: [Worried] I… I didn’t think you’d, well, that you’d actually…
M: [Angry] Leave? Leave without saying goodbye? Well I didn’t think you’d do it either Mary Anne.     So, I guess we were both wrong.

With this statement the man flicks his now half exhausted cigarrette to the ground, stamping out its flame. He turns away from the woman and begins to stalk off.

W: [Hesitant, desperately searching] Wait! Just wait! Can’t we just… can’t we…?

A tear slips down her marooned cheek as she calls to the man. He turns his head back, looking at her casually.

M: [Still without much feeling] No. We can’t.

He continues to walk away as she stands alone in the cold, crying. She seems lost, in thought and in pain. Her head perks up and her expression changes to one of desperation, as she seems to arrive at a conclusion.

W: [Loudly; exclaiming] I love you!

The man stops. He stands, staring away from her, his expression caught in a tight frown. He brushes his eyes, clearing them of tears, and turns to face her. The two stand on opposite ends of a street block, but the gap seems to close in for the moment.

M: [With emphasis; with meaning] I know. I know you do. And that’s why. I have to go now Mary.     I have to.
W: [Without control] So that’s it? That’s us? This is all it amounts to?

The man pauses again, thinking. He seems to be holding something back.

M: [Slowly] You were all I had ever wanted. I loved you. That was all my life was ever supposed to     be.
W: [With intensity] I know I screwed up, okay? I know. But this is stupid! You shouldn’t throw it all     away over one mistake! Not if you still…
M: [Lovingly] I loved you Mary Anne. I loved you. Let’s just leave it at that.

The wind picks up and blows harder than before. The man walks away in the dimming light of the day, leaving the woman to stand alone, watching- crying freely. She stands there well into the night, and, even as dawn approaches, she sits on the hood of her car, staring aff along the long, deserted road.