TODD I mean, for a bitch who just got played … you got mad skills.

ERIC Ha!

TODD That’s right …

ERIC You mean, a “bitch nigga,” don’t you …?

TODD Ha! That’s exactly right—some lil’ bitch ass nigga.

The two men smile at this and pass the ball back and forth a few times. Harder and harder. Finally, they stop.

ERIC Seriously, though …

TODD Yeah, what?

ERIC The “nigga” thing. You don’t do it much … do you? I really never have heard you say that …

TODD I do every so often. Around another brother or that kinda thing—when a circumstance allows.

ERIC Got it.

TODD When it feels right …

ERIC Okay.

TODD You don’t?

ERIC Not really …

TODD No?

ERIC Uh-uh.

TODD Never?

ERIC …

TODD Interesting.

ERIC Not really … I just don’t. I’m not judging …

TODD Yeah?

ERIC Absolutely not.

TODD Hmmmm.

ERIC I’m seriously not. I never would …

TODD Cool.

ERIC I just …

TODD Yeah! Here it comes …

ERIC No! I’m only saying that … for me, it’s never sounded right in my head or … like … my mouth … times I have said it … into a mirror or whatnot.

TODD You’ve practiced?

ERIC Shut the fuck up, dick!

TODD Ha! I love that … everybody at the office is gonna hear that shit now!

ERIC Prick.

TODD “Eric Johnson is working his way up to saying ‘nigga’ on occasion …”

ERIC Fuck you, Todd.

TODD Ha!

ERIC …

TODD I hope you call me one first. I’d love that shit … break your nigga cherry on me! Please oh please!!

He slaps at his friend’s face but ERIC counters. They box each other for a moment. Smiling as they go.

ERIC There’s almost a hundred percent chance that your fucking wish is gonna come true … asshole.

TODD Ha!

ERIC laughs along with his friend. He’s still up and he picks up the ball and gets going with it again. Dribbling it.

TODD gets up and starts to block him, trying to take it away from him.

The two men fight it out. Rough-housing. The possession of the ball become the most important thing in the world now.

ERIC Come on now … come on …

TODD Watch out … gimme that fucking …

ERIC You can’t do this … you can’t move like this …

TODD You slick motherfucker …!

ERIC Boom!

ERIC jumps, faking a shot. Imagines it going in the hoop and through. Swish!

They stop and laugh together. Bumping up against each other.

TODD You wanna go play another game or two?

ERIC If you wanna …

TODD Yeah, maybe. In a minute …

ERIC You’re getting old, friend.

TODD Fuck that.

ERIC Like an old dog …

TODD Still got game … you know that’s true …

ERIC Yeah, you do. You got some.

TODD You, too.

ERIC Yeah, for a middle-aged man … yes, I do …

TODD For a half-baked middle-aged man … don’t forget that part.