GREG puts an arm around and she starts to throw it off but he holds on. They tussle but she gives in. She lets him comfort her, even though she’s not very happy about it.

STEPH Well … I don’t understand what you’re saying to me here but the sound of it sucks. I don’t like it … at all.

GREG I’m just saying … I need a little bit of time. I’m not you, I don’t do things with the exact same … velocity that you do but that doesn’t make it bad or wrong or, or like I’m not gonna do it … so, come on.

STEPH Fine.

GREG Thank you.

STEPH But soon, alright?

GREG Yes. Of course.

STEPH No, I mean it. (Beat.) Please don’t make me go talk to her, ’cause I will …

GREG Steph, don’t say that.

STEPH Well, then just go do it./ When?

GREG I’m gonna!/ STOP! I’m working on it …

GREG wants this conversation to be over—he stands up and looks off toward the front door of the restaurant. Checks the buzzer.

STEPH That thing’s not gonna save you, Greg … I’m right here so you might as well talk to me.

GREG I know that. I’m just hungry./ I am!

STEPH Sure./ Ok, alright. You’re hungry.

STEPH turns to GREG, takes the buzzer out of his hand and forces him to concentrate.

GREG What’re we doing now? What is this?

STEPH I just want you to focus, so I’m … here. Look at me./ In the eye, Greg.

GREG Fine./ I am.

STEPH Give me five good reasons that you want to be here. Today. With me.

GREG What?

STEPH Seriously … don’t think about it, just do it.

GREG Why do we have to play this game, Steph?

STEPH It’s not a game, I’m just asking you to.

GREG Fine … (Beat.) I just don’t see why you need to … but fine. Ok. (Beat.) Five?

STEPH I could do it in two seconds …

GREG No, you couldn’t.

STEPH Yes! It’s easy.

GREG Do it, then.

STEPH Yeah, sure, so you can get out of it!

GREG That’s not why!

STEPH Bullshit ….

GREG No, I said that because you were rubbing it in my face, so I was … just …

STEPH One. Because I’m hungry …

GREG Oh. Nice. That’s romantic.

STEPH Shhh! My turn first. You wanted me to go, so here I am, I’m going, now be quiet and listen. One. Because I’m hungry … Two. I am an adventurous eater so I look forward to the challenge of whatever the fuck it is they eat in Turkey. Three. I can’t eat another one of those roasted chickens that my mother brings home from the store without having to seriously take a chainsaw to my whole family, so that’s … (She mimes this.) Four. I’m super fucking in love with you, Greg, and I wanna be around you every chance I get, and ta-da-da-dah! Five. I love you. I really do love you and so, yeah, it’s worth saying again, so there it is. I-love-you. (Beat.) Those are my five. What about you?