The Party

by Eric Maierson

Ken: Hey, is that the game?

Valerie: Want some?

Ken: Do I want some?

Ken: Yeah, all right. Don't Bogart that joint.

Ken: That's good stuff. Thanks.

Ken: Sometimes I get so sad.

Valerie: Why don't you go back upstairs to the party?

Ken: I used to perform.

Ken: Magic. Texas state champions, 1982.

Valerie: Wow, that sucks.

Ken: Yeah, I gave that up too. So you're like what, seventeen?

Valerie: Fifteen.

Ken: Fifteen? Wow. That's...

Valerie: Yeah, next month, I'm getting my learner's permit early 'cause my brother's like slightly retarded.

Ken: Who, Josh?

Valerie: Yeah.

Ken: He didn't seem-I mean, we were talking and he seemed...

Valerie: Yeah, I think they misdiagnosed him or something. He's just stupid sometimes.

Ken: "Just stupid." That's funny.

Valerie: Yeah, he's all right. He gets me weed.

Ken: I bet you get a lot of attention.

Valerie: What do you mean?

Ken: I mean being a dancer. Being... You know.

Valerie: You mean, like, guys?

Ken: You know if I had to do over again, go back to school-what grade are you in?

Valerie: Freshman.

Ken: If I had to do it over again, I don't think I would have listened to Wanda Kerpec.

Valerie: You like to talk a lot.

Ken: She was this girl-I was, we were-you've, you know, you've... right? You've-

Valerie: Fucked?

Ken: So anyway, Wanda, she told me I was hurting her, so I let go. Turned out later that was her thing. Wanda Kerpec.

Valerie: Yeah, I've been date-raped.

Ken: You're sweet.

Valerie: Sometimes, I just feel like I have no choice in anything. Like it's all just gonna happen anyway, so what's the use?

Ken: Sounds like my first marriage.

Valerie: Did you love her?

Ken: Fifteen, huh? Your hair looks really soft.

Valerie: You want me to be that Wanda girl, don't you?

Ken: No.

Valerie: Yes.

Ken: No. No, no, no.

Valerie: Yeah, I figured.

Ken: Yeah, you figured what, Ms. Smarty-pants?

Ken: What are you...

Valerie: Your button's undone.

Ken: Well, I can't have my buttons-

Valerie: Shh.

Ken: Hey, hey. Hey.

Valerie: What?

Ken: What are you doing?

Valerie: Having sex. What are you doing?

Ken: Valerie-

Valerie: You think my parents give a shit?

Ken: I don't-

Valerie: What? I thought you wanted to.

Ken: You're fifteen.

Valerie: You were talking like you wanted it.

Ken: I don't want "it."

Valerie: Yeah, well, neither did I. I was just doing it for your sake. Serves me right for feeling sorry for you.

Ken: Sorry for me? You think I need sympathy from a - where you going?

Valerie: I want dessert.

Ken: Well you can't go up there by yourself.

Valerie: Why?

Ken: Why? Because your parents are in there. Your parents are in there and you're high.

Valerie: It will not be the first time.

Ken: Wait, I'll go with you.

Ken: You know, I meant what I said before about you being sweet.