Intimacy

CHARACTERS:
Helena
George
Chuck
TAGPO: Kwarto sa Hotel Sogo, Recto; Kasalukuyan
Pagtaas ng telon, makikita na si HELENA at GEORGE na nakaupo sa higaan sa Hotel Sogo. Mahabang katahimikan bago magsimula ang unang diyalogo.
HELENA
I think you should know. I’m a lot prettier than you.
GEORGE
I think you should know that I don’t care.
HELENA
Isang tanong lang, George. Bakit?
GEORGE
Bakit?
HELENA
Bakit?
GEORGE
Bakit? Kasi maganda ako, Helena. Mas maganda sa ‘yo.
HELENA
Hayop ka.
Katok.
HELENA (cont’d)
Pasok.
Papasok si Chuck.
HELENA (cont’d)
Hello, baby.
CHUCK
Hi, Helena. George.
HELENA
George and I were just talking about how much we had in common.
GEORGE
Hayop ka, Helena.
Tatayo si George at pupunta sa bintana.
CHUCK
(lalapit)
George, I -
HELENA
- Will do nothing. Hindi ba, Chuck?
GEORGE
Hindi ba, Chuck?
CHUCK
Tigilan niyo ako. Naguguluhan na ako.
HELENA
It was never that difficult to begin with, baby. I’m your wife. Asawa ako. Ako legal wife.
GEORGE
Yet, he cheated. Because you’re so perfect.
HELENA
He cheated with me to realize that there are people far, far worse than those he can sleep with every night.
GEORGE
He cheated because there was so much more in life than someone like you. 
CHUCK
Wala ba akong masasabi rito?
HELENA AND GEORGE
Shut up, Chuck.

CHUCK
Tama na!
HELENA
Baby, let’s go home. Itigil na natin ito.
GEORGE
Chuck, stay. Please stay.
HELENA
Uwi na tayo, baby.
GEORGE
Chuck, stay.
HELENA
Baby.
GEORGE
Chuck.
CHUCK
Hindi ko na kaya. Tama na. 
HELENA
Ako, may claim over him. He’s my baby. Ikaw, sino ka ba?
GEORGE
Ang claim mo sa kanya ay nasa papel. Ako, I can claim his heart. 
HELENA
I can claim his son. Two versus one. Lalaban pa?
GEORGE
I can claim his dick.
CHUCK
Guys...
HELENA AND GEORGE
Shut up, Chuck.
HELENA
Paano tayo magkakasundo rito?
GEORGE
Hindi pwedeng pagandahan na lang.
HELENA
Hindi. Hindi pwede.
GEORGE
Obviously talo ka na.
HELENA
Gago.
GEORGE
I’ve taught him so much, and I’ve learned so much from him. I love him. He loves me. I can be with him forever.
HELENA
I’ve been with him for so long and I’ve become one with him. We have a family. We can be together for so long.
GEORGE
Passion.
HELENA
Commitment.
GEORGE
May tatlong aspeto ang pag-ibig. Passion, commitment and intimacy. I won one, you won the other.
HELENA
So it’s a battle for intimacy then?
GEORGE
Yes.
HELENA
And how do we decide that?
GEORGE
We have no other option, ayt?
HELENA
Oo. We have to ask him.
GEORGE
Chuck...
HELENA
Baby...
HELENA AND GEORGE
You have to choose.
HELENA
Who stays?
GEORGE
And who goes?
CHUCK
Mahirap. Mahirap malagay sa posisyon na ito. Intimacy ba kamo ang hanap niyo? Intimacy? Kanina ako pinaka-intimate? Sa totoo lang, bago ang araw na ‘to, hirap ako pumili. Pero ngayon, alam ko na. Helena, I love you and I love your son. George, I love you and I love your dick. But, when push comes to shove, mas pipiliin ko ang taong kinikiliala ako bilang ‘Chuck’ at hindi lang bilang ‘baby.’ I’m sorry, Helena. I’m really sorry.
HELENA
I see. Choices have been made. Decisions are final. I was voted out. Be that as it may, this is not over. Ikaw at ikaw, kayong dalawa, you haven’t seen the last of me. Hindi pa ito tapos. Mahaba pa ang daloy ng kwento natin. 
Aalis si Helena.
GEORGE
Face it. Hindi lang siya kasing ganda ko.