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ER
"The British Are Coming"
Act Five

OUTSIDE THE ER

[Lucy is on her way home. She's walking towards the EL, holding a letter in her hand and looking for a mail box. Mark runs up behind her.]

MARK: Hey! Lucy!

[She turns, surprised to hear her name called out in a city full of strangers.]

LUCY: Oh, hi Mark!

MARK: Heading for the EL?

LUCY: Yeah.

[He walks with her.]

MARK: So, how was your first day then?

LUCY: Good. I think. Everything's so new, you know? But I enjoyed it.

MARK: I'm glad.

LUCY: Jerry's a bit of odd though. Did he really think I'd be offended by the Fourth of July? Or was he just taking the mickey?

MARK [confused]: Taking the...what?

LUCY [surprise]: Mickey?

MARK: Taking the mickey? You've got me there.

LUCY: Really? You don't say that over here?

MARK: Never heard it.

LUCY: Oh. Well, it kind of means making fun of, teasing.

MARK: Taking the mickey? Okay.

LUCY: So, was he?

MARK: Jerry? No. I'm afraid not.

LUCY [can't stop herself from giggling]: No way! I can't believe it!

MARK: You'll get used to him.

[There's a pause between them. Mark is psyching himself up.]

MARK: So, do you want to come see the fireworks this evening?

LUCY [delighted to be asked]: Oh, I'd love to! Really?

MARK [pleased at her enthusiasm]: Sure. It'll be fun.

LUCY: Yeah! I really didn't want to miss it - it's an all American holiday, right? And when in Rome...!

MARK [laughing]: Then you'll have to try the hot dogs. Chicago has the world's best hot dogs!

LUCY: Really? I thought Chicago had the world's best pizza?

MARK: Well, that too. But on the Fourth of July, you have to have hot dogs!

LUCY: You're on, then! [She grins at him in excitement] This is going to be fun!

[They're almost at the EL station, and Lucy remembers the letter in her hand.]

LUCY: Oh Mark, is there a post box around here?

MARK: A mail box? Yeah, right over there. [He points over the road]

LUCY: Great. I'll just post this.

MARK: Writing home?

LUCY: Yeah. [She looks a little guilty.] My first I'm afraid! And Edward's already written me two!

MARK [not quite wanting to know]: Edward?

LUCY: My fiancé. I'll be back in a sec. [She dashes across the road]

MARK: Right. [He sighs - fiancé: of course!]

[Lucy returns, still smiling]

LUCY: Ready to go?

MARK: Sure. You know, I think I can almost smell the hot dogs from here!

[They head off together up the steps to the EL.]

FIREWORKS DISPLAY

[Jerry, Jeanie and Wendy are standing together laughing, while Doug and Carol are chatting a little apart from the rest. There's a funfair behind them, and the evening is just fading into dusk. Doug suddenly sees something over Carol's shoulder.]

DOUG: Guess who I see?

CAROL [turns around]: Who?

DOUG: Mark, and Lucy Tennant!

CAROL: Lucy? I warned her about Mark.

DOUG: Doesn't look like she listened. [He waves an arm in the air] MARK! Over here!

[Mark and Lucy make their way through the crowd. Mark's carrying a hot dog in each hand.]

DOUG: Glad you could make it. Nice to see you Lucy.

LUCY: Hi.

MARK: Well, you know, I thought I'd introduce Lucy to the heights of American culture.

CAROL [glancing up at the sky]: And, it doesn't get much higher than this!

DOUG: Was that a joke?

CAROL: Obviously way over your head. [They both chuckle]

LUCY [looks at Mark who is still holding the hot dogs]: So, is the idea to eat those things, or just hold them all evening?

MARK: What? Oh! Sorry - here have one.

LUCY: Thanks. [She takes a big bite]

MARK: Good?

LUCY [nods and tries to speak through a mouthful of hot dog]: Definitely the best hot dogs in the world.

MARK [grins]: What did I tell you? You'll love it here!

LUCY: I think I will.

[The first fireworks explode overhead, and they both look up into the night sky. Lucy is bubbling with excitement: a new job, a new country and new friends - the possibilities seem endless and the future looks very bright indeed. Mark is just enjoying the moment; he's enjoying the company of his old friends, he's amused by Lucy's contagious excitement and is happy to be just where he is, just when he is. For a rare moment everyone is happy!]

THE END!!

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