Isaac: a mid-twenties grad student
Annie: Isaac's girlfriend
SETTING: Isaac's and Annie's room
Thoughts in the Rainstorm
Isaac: Do we really have to go to this party tonight?
Annie: Of course we do. The author always shows up for her own book launching.
Isaac: Yeah but all those stuffed-shirt phonies are going to be there. You know I can't stand to hear that psudeo-intellectual babble they spew out about modes of alienation in contemporary society or whatever.
Annie: This is my first novel released by a publisher and I really want to make a good impression. Can you act charming for one night please?
Isaac: What? Do I never act charming?
Annie: Why are you so hostile tonight?
Isaac: Because the Yankees are playing the Red Sox on TV.
Annie: Oh come on Isaac they play, like, 200 games a season right?
Isaac: No. Not 200. And this is the biggest rivalry in the history of sports. It's America's pastime. It represents a younger United States that could sit back and relax and enjoy a slow game of baseball all afternoon. Now everyone is just bored by it.
Annie: Maybe because it's boring?
Isaac: You've just been bombarded by too much MTV and Michael Bay movies to appreciate a slower, more methodical game.
Annie: And you don't think you talk like an elitist intellectual?
Isaac: I just don't like making fake insights with people discussing the decay of the modern man or the myth of the American Dream or something like that.
Annie: Well a lot of them are professors you know. Some of yours might even be at the party tonight.
Isaac: And yet another reason to go...
Annie: What? You don't like any of your professors?
Isaac: My professors are cool. But they're like any other professors. You might talk and philosophize with them during class, but you never want to see them outside the class.
Annie: Why not?
Isaac: Because then your bubble of freedom is burst the moment they start talking. You're like, "Oh yeah I have a paper to write in his class," or "I can't believed I failed her test last week".
Annie: Oh come on Isaac it can't be that bad.
Isaac: Well it's not fun either.
Annie: Why do you always reduce every situation to it's worst possible outcome?
Isaac: Annie, we've been dating three years, you know it's how I function.
Annie: Yeah I know, but I don't think like that.
Isaac: Opposites attract.
Annie: Somehow.
Isaac: ... so are we really going to the party tonight?
Annie: Of course we are, Isaac.
Isaac: Well do they have a television there?
Annie: No. Remember? Jason and Mary don't own one.
Isaac: Of couse they don't. And I assume they only buy organic food at farmer's markets or Whole Foods right?
Annie: What is that supposed to mean?
Isaac: You know... after they're done shopping they put the food in the back of their hybrid car and drive home to read The Onion or something because they don't have a TV.
Annie: I don't know that much about my publisher.
Isaac: Just your typical upper-middle class, city-dwelling hipster probably.
Annie: We have to leave in 30 minutes Isaac. You should put on something nicer.
Isaac: What my blue jeans aren't formal enough?
Annie: Are you serious?
Isaac: I thought informal was the new formal.
Annie: Yeah and Blu-Ray's the new DVD.
Isaac: Hey it's going to happen someday. When they lower the prices and movies start to be only released on Blu-Ray, I'll say I told you so.
Annie: Ok, but while we're waiting can you get dressed?
Isaac: Ok... so you don't like the jeans?
Annie: Just get some nice clothes on!
Isaac: (laughs) Ok ok.
Annie: Do you think this book's going to make me famous?
Isaac: I never try to over-analyze a situation that's reliant on variables.
Annie: Just humor me then.
Isaac: I honestly don't know. I think it's good enough to get you recognized, but I can't predict the patterns of the fickle American public.
Annie: Thanks for the confidence.
Isaac: You know I try my hardest never to lie.
Annie: Well there's a fine line between lying and encouragement.
Isaac: Yeah a non-existant one.
Annie: Isaac. Please get ready.
Isaac: I am getting ready. I'm building a protective shield around my brain to guard me against the philosophical rambling of your compatriots.
Annie: Well they are very knowledgeable.
Isaac: With great knowledge, comes great hubris.
Annie: (laughs) I'm not going to deny that.
Isaac: (after getting dressed). You know, I think you are going to be famous.
Annie: Really?
Isaac: Yeah of course. It's a great book, especially for a debut.
Annie: Aw thanks Isaac. I knew there was a reason I'm in love with you. (laughs)
Isaac: (laughs) Only one reason?
Annie: No way.
Isaac: Yep, we're going to hit the big time when your book comes out.
Annie: I hope so. Why don't you share your "insights" with the stuffed-shirts at the party?
Isaac: You think they would care?
Annie: Well they better, because I sure do.
Isaac: (smiles) Thanks Annie.
I thought this dialogue was really cute. The characters definitely both have a sense of wit, whether Isaac chooses to admit his or not! The bantering flowed nicely, the only thing I would say is that it became a little unbelievable at times. Annie is obviously very proud of this book, and while for the most part Isaac's teasing seems to be in jest, I felt like there were moments that it went too far. They've been together for quite awhile, as you said in the text- so some degree of this is believable as we often treat the people we love most, worst. One part that really threw me off was when you added the stage direction "laughs". For some reason in context of the conversation, it didn't seem to fit. I would give that a look to see if you can change the action. Other than that, great piece, not overly sugary but down-to-earth!
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