(Jerry pulls on Elaine’s arm, trying to bring her in a certain direction)

ELAINE

Get the hell off of me, Jer.

JERRY

Lainey, why you doing this to me?

ELAINE

(Yelling gutturally)

What Jerry? Doing what to you?

JERRY

(Just between them)

Elaine. Look now. You  know I hate yelling.  And you know it reminds me of my ma. Now, I want you to put a smile on your face and pretend like we ain’t so bad.

ELAINE

I can’t do this Jerry. I’m too scared.

JERRY

Sure you can. I’ll help.

ELAINE

(Completely dismissive)

No way. I’m not going in there.

JERRY

(Mocking)

Come on. I’ll hold your hand and lead you in.

ELAINE

Shut the hell up Jerry. It’s not like it used to be and I don’t. Care. About. Fixing it. It’s like beating an old horse. You know, we all know how this would end… “Lainely I love you. C’mon don’t walk away on me like that! We were making progress!” “Jer, you should’ve said you loved me eight months ago.” (Closely and quietly) Jerry, I can’t keep trying. For real.

JERRY

I ain’t believing “for real” Lainey.

ELAINE

No Jerry. I mean it.

(Beat)

JERRY

Why you scared. Why’s it different this time?

ELAINE

Jerry, I’m scared because I’m losing myself. And walking in there and sittin’ down for another two hours with that woman who don’t know shit about us is just makin’ me feel like a stat these days.

JERRY

A stat?

ELAINE

A statistic. Just another girl who’s been comin’ here tryna’ work things out. Just another girl who didn’t have problems until the first slap or the first hit. Dammit Jerry! I ain’t someone who puts up with shit like this for so long. I don’t need this weight on me so much. It’s all reminding me of the worst parts of us and that’s all I think I am…A girl with a fuckin’ issue.

JERRY

Ok. Ok so what’re we doing next then? This obviously ain’t workin.

ELAINE

Let’s just start walking. (Pause) Thanks, Jer.

JERRY

Sure, Elaine.