An exercise offered by Gerald DiPego from his book WRITE!

Write 1 1/2 to 2 pages of dialogue between a man and woman.

 Exercise:

     A woman of thirty walks into a busy diner. She wants to sit at the counter, but there's no room. Ah! Somebody is getting up now, leaving. She heads for the empty stool, and as she arrives, she sees the man sitting next to her (who is thirty) deftly snatch the tip from the counter, which was left by the man who just departed.

        

Woman

You better leave twice that amount.

Man

Excuse me?

Woman

The tip.

Man

Mind your business.

Woman

I’m doing you a favor.

Man

How’s that?

Woman

You don’t think so?

Man

No.

Woman

Delayed or instant? I wonder.

Man

What?!

Woman

I’d have to say delayed.

Man

Are you talking code?

Woman

John Lennon wrote a song about it.

Man

Too young to know what you mean.

Woman

Karma… “Instant Karma”

Man

You’re crazy lady.

Woman

I know the owner. There’s a camera above your head (pointing up). If you leave without the tip times two then I can’t help you.

Man looks up then around. Sighs… breathes heavy through his nose nodding his head.

Man

Ok…ok.

Woman shrugs her shoulders wide eyed.

Man

Lady. I don’t know who you are but thanks… I think...

Man leaves the tip times two. Gets up. Nervous.

Woman

Take care.

Man

Yeah… you too.(scanning the room)

Woman

I’m the least of your worries now…

Man

I got it… I get it…

Man breaks into a sweat. Deep in thought…

Woman

More to come.

Man

I know…

Man walks out of the diner…