Excerpt of Amici
(from the middle of the play)
SAMANTHA
I liked your fashion show.
HOWARD
My what?
SAMANTHA
Your fashion show. I liked how you tried on all those different shirts. I like how you wanted to look nice.
HOWARD
It wasn't a fashion show!
SAMANTHA
Oh.
HOWARD
They had spots on them!
SAMANTHA
Anyway. I liked the denim with the eagle on the pocket, but I like this one the best. My god, you look good!
HOWARD
Samantha.
SAMANTHA
I can’t help myself.
HOWARD
Don’t look at me like that. I told you from the beginning that this—
SAMANTHA
Relationship--
HOWARD
Not relationship! We are not having a relationship. This is platonic! (Pause.) Look, I enjoy the time we spend together just as much as you do. I know we're on the same path. I know we have things to teach one another. It's not one-sided.
SAMANTHA
But that's all I'm saying. I want us to accompany one another along the path.
HOWARD
Which path?
SAMANTHA
The path. Life's journey! The path that leads to a place where there is justice for all, where war has gone the way of slavery, and where--
HOWARD
People wear flowers in their hair.
SAMANTHA
Don't make fun.
HOWARD
I'm sorry.
SAMANTHA
I want to help bring God's kingdom to Earth.
HOWARD
And then--?
SAMANTHA
You're making fun.
HOWARD
You're very innocent.
SAMANTHA
You don't want to help bring in God's kingdom?
HOWARD
I'm not sure it isn't already here. Maybe it's just a matter of recognizing it. (Beat.) So what are your plans for after you usher in the millenium?
SAMANTHA
I thought I'd like to retire with you to an island.
HOWARD
(HOWARD sighs.) Christ, Sam. What are we doing?
(...continued...)