Jeffrey Tang, Dialogues (Revised)

Note: I’ve actually revised all 4 of my dialogues + my journal #8 here. This is meant to be read in order as a connected universe with various facts that are referenced across dialogues.

Dialogue 1:

Roland walks out of the train station from the turnstile. He is wearing an unzipped light jacket, leaving the winter cold to catch on his skin. It is nearly midnight, with hardly anybody else in sight. The dirty lights of the station illuminate his surroundings as he goes to the sidewalk to check the streets. After only taking a quick glance in the direction of his home, he pulls out his phone, realizing he got a text.

UNKNOWN.
Are you home yet?

ROLAND.
Just got off at the station, actually.

(Roland paces around the entrance of the train station, feeling very full and sluggish, considering whether it’s worth walking home or whether he should wait for a late bus.)

UNKNOWN.
How was the party?

ROLAND.
It’s always a fun time with friends around.

(Making a choice by turning away from the bus station, Roland starts walking home, checking his phone along the way.)

UNKNOWN.
You could’ve come home sooner, it’s pitch black outside.

ROLAND.
I wouldn’t leave my friend hanging like that.

(Roland’s breath is white in the air, and his steps are deliberate. The cold makes him drowsy, but not enough to consider passing out right then and there.)

UNKNOWN.
Did it end up working out?

ROLAND.
No idea. My psychic powers faltered there.

UNKNOWN.
Very funny. Do you need a ride?

ROLAND.
You’re trash.

(Irritation flashes over Roland’s face as he catches what he typed in. He takes a deep breath to catch himself, before typing a follow-up.)

ROLAND.
Yes, thanks*.
My bad, auto-correct.

Dialogue 2:

It’s a chilly day in the office break room. Xiao idles at the coffee machine’s table, over-stirring a cup of coffee with clearly no intent to actually drink it any time soon. He wears a suit but has a thousand yard stare in the direction of the ceiling, defying how professional he should be. Pameli walks in, wearing the same suit as him, but with a confused gaze in his direction.

PAMELI.
Hey Xiao, are you going to drink that coffee?

XIAO.
Huh?

(Xiao does a double take at Pameli’s words, snapping back into reality to consider what she asked. His eyes scan across the room evasively as he throws out his response.)

XIAO.
Uh, yeah, probably.

PAMELI.
Might as well have said “no” with such an indecisive answer.

XIAO.
I’m a bit preoccupied with some thoughts.

(Pameli is sipping her own cup of coffee as Xiao says this, so she nods to indicate him to continue.)

XIAO.
You think dreams mean anything?

PAMELI.
You mean, if they’re your subconscious yelling at you?

XIAO.
Yeah, like that.

PAMELI.
If there is a message, wouldn’t you remember it?

XIAO.
Huh?

PAMELI.
If I want to do something, I’ll remember that I want to do it. Wouldn’t it be the same regardless of your consciousness?

XIAO.
I guess that makes sense, but what’s the “sub” in subconscious for if they both let you remember?

(Pameli shrugs in an exaggerated way, as if he had asked the impossible of her.)

PAMELI.
Not an English major, so I wouldn’t know. What was your dream about?

XIAO.
Sorry, classified information.

(Xiao stops stirring his coffee and takes a big chug of it before walking to the sink to pour the rest out.)

PAMELI.
Wait, even after I gave you such good information?

XIAO.
I’ll get you dinner or something.

PAMELI.
You’d rather buy me dinner?!

(As Xiao walks out of the break room, he raises his hand in a casual wave while giving a weak shout to one of his coworkers.)

XIAO.
Yo, Roland!

Dialogue 3:

It is the end of the day on a Friday. Angela and Roland are seated on a couch, half sitting and half laying down. A TV show is playing in the background, but Roland is more focused on his phone. They’re both wearing casual wear with the heater turned up to keep the room warm.

ANGELA.
So that’s the bad guy?

ROLAND.
Uh no, he’s a good guy who looks bad.

ANGELA.
Is that a spoiler?

ROLAND.
Nope, he just looks evil. I’m saving you the trouble being confused.

(Angela scruffs her face up in thought, trying to piece together the implications of what Roland said in relation to the show.)

ANGELA.
I don’t think this show makes sense.

ROLAND.
It gets better in the second season, you just need the backstory.

ANGELA.
Can’t you tell me the backstory?

(Roland doesn’t respond for a bit as he browses through various plastic cups on his phone.)

ROLAND.
Nah. I’m not a storyteller.

ANGELA.
What’re you checking?

ROLAND.
I’m on party cup duty.

(Putting emphasis on the phrase “party cup”, he flashes his phone screen to show off the variety of plastic cups he’s found.)

ANGELA.
Absolutely incredible. Aren’t you going to bring food?

ROLAND.
They’re going to have too much food, it always happens.

ANGELA.
It’s a nice courtesy though.

ROLAND.
You want to come and help eat some of it?

(Angela feigns ignorance for a small bit by staring intently at the screen before responding.)

ANGELA.
Nah, you have fun.

ROLAND.
That’s the plan.

(Roland puts away his phone as they both turn their attention to the show, with Angela throwing out questions as Roland answers them.)

Dialogue 4:

It’s a weekend day, but the streets are mostly empty because of the winter chill. Roland walks along the street, with a bag under his arm. The day had just started, but he was as awake as ever. Just before reaching the end of the street, Roland turns to face one of the houses. He pulls out his phone, calling someone.

ROLAND.
I’m here, open up.

UNKNOWN.
Actually here or “I want you to have the door open by the time I get there” here?

ROLAND.
You have to open the door either way, open up.

UNKNOWN.
Got it, just give me a bit.

(Roland exhales, watching his breath in the cold air. The door cracks open, revealing Xiao in the doorway.)

XIAO.
You’re here so early, come in!

ROLAND.
I walk very fast.

(With a smile and chuckle, Xiao walks back into the house while Roland follows. After taking off his shoes, Roland continues further into the living room of the home where Pameli is also waiting.)

ROLAND.
Oh, you’re here too?

PAMELI.
Xiao said he would buy me dinner, but apparently he’s making it instead. What a liar, right?

ROLAND.
You definitely got duped there, I’d ask for a refund.

(Shouting from another nearby room, Xiao chimes in.)

XIAO.
I can hear you!

ROLAND.
I know you can!

PAMELI.
Angela didn’t want to come?

ROLAND.
Way too cold for her liking, I wouldn’t want to force it.

PAMELI.
That’s a shame.

(Roland empties his bag of plastic cups on a nearby table before walking into the kitchen where Xiao is.)

ROLAND.
Hey.

(Xiao jolts with a startle, too engrossed in cooking to have noticed Roland at first.)

XIAO.
Gah, we need to put a bell on you.

ROLAND.
Never mind me, have you asked her out yet?

XIAO.
Keep it down, I’m working on it.

ROLAND.
To her heart through the stomach?

XIAO.
Yup, that’s the plan.

ROLAND.
You got this, I’m cheering for you.

(Roland pats Xiao on the back a couple of times before returning to the living room. Without turning away from his cooking, Xiao returns a couple of head nods.)

Dialogue 5/Journal #8:

It’s a warm summer day. Around a square wooden table, 4 people are seated. While Xiao and Pameli occupy their own sides, the third side has a pair of 2 people: Angela and Roland. At the center of the table are small piles of coins, acting as makeshift poker chips for the game being played. The air conditioner hums in the background, doing its best to chill the room.

ROLAND.
You can’t just keep staying silent, that’s not a solution.

ANGELA.
So you want me to lie instead?

ROLAND.
Yes, please.

XIAO.
I’m with Angela on this one, lying’s way worse.

PAMELI.
I’m also with Xiao with Angela on this one.

ROLAND.
You two stay out of this, I don’t need a gang against me.

ANGELA.
It’s still lying though.

ROLAND.
It’s a white lie, better than the alternative!

ANGELA.
White lies are still lies, that’s why they have “lie” in their name.

(Xiao chuckles at the exchange while Pameli goes to get water, sensing this might take a while.)

ROLAND.
If you stay silent, people will inevitably find out because you’re terrible at staying silent.

ANGELA.
How could I be terrible at saying nothing?

ROLAND.
Your version of staying silent writes the words on your face instead.

ANGELA.
I’ve got an amazing poker face.

(Pameli returns with cups of water for herself and Xiao. With only a quick glance at her cards and then at Angela, she relaxes back into her seat.)

PAMELI.
Angela’s poker face is incredible.

ANGELA.
I think you’re the one giving away my cards right now.

ROLAND.
Dear lord, please just lie instead! Any sort of mind game rather than your poker face!

XIAO.
Roland, I think you’re acting weird just because she’s using your money.

ROLAND.
This is the thanks I get for trusting my own partner…

(Angela puts her coins in as well. They flip their cards. Angela is on the losing side again as Pameli cheers at their victory.)