What’s in a name?

VERONICA is staring at her computer screen and getting frustrated.  She has tried 5 times to access her user account at work and can’t seem to get her password right. 

MS. M, a work colleague who sits at the desk behind her, is slightly amused. 

VERONICA: Oh come on!

MS. M: Everything alright? 

VERONICA: I just can’t get my bloody password right. 

MS. M: Did you change it? 

VERONICA: Yes, but that was last week, and I’ve been able to get on since then.  Just not now. 

MS. M: Hmmmm. 

VERONICA: Caps Lock?  Not on.  Ok.  Concentrating now. 

She types her password in one letter at a time, slowly and carefully.  

VERONICA: No access. What’s going on!? 

She stares at the screen and catches sight of her user name. 

VERONICA: Oh crap. 

MS. M: What’s the matter? 

VERONICA: You know I’ve had a long day when I can’t even spell my surname correctly. 

MS. M: Don’t worry Cybulski, no one can spell your surname. 

THE END. 

What I’m worried about

CAST:

DECLAN: 16 years old, has an answer for everything and an opinion on anything, although he is a sweet mannered boy.

VERONICA: (Me)

MERVIN: A regular customer

SET: In the café where VERONICA works.

(VERONICA and DECLAN are working side by side clearing the café up for the close.  DECLAN is wiping down windows as VERONICA cleans out the fridges.  They work quietly together, with VERONICA making sure that DECLAN is getting his jobs done properly.  MERVIN enters the café).

VERONICA: Hi Merv!  How are you?

MERVIN: I’m well Veronica and how are you?

VERONICA: Not too bad.

MERVIN: You’re not bad, you’re brilliant.

VERONICA: You’re too nice Merv.

MERVIN: I try.

VERONICA: Have you met Declan?

DECLAN: I know Merv.

MERVIN: See, he knows me.

VERONICA: Good, then Declan can serve you.

DECLAN: (sighs) Ok.

VERONICA: Come on, don’t be bitter, you need the practice.

DECLAN: Alright.  What can I get you Mervin?

MERVIN: Yellow iced donut please.

VERONICA: (To DECLAN) Mervin always pays later, so you can just plate it up and take it to him.  (To MERVIN) Take a seat Merv, he’ll bring it over to you.

MERVIN: Thanks love. (sits down)

(DELCAN brings MERVIN’s order to him, and continues with his work.)

DECLAN: (To VERONICA) What do you think about having a female Prime Minister?  You must be pretty happy.

VERONICA: You know, you must be the 5th man to ask me that.

MERVIN: What’s he asking you?

VERONICA: He’s asking about what I think of Julia Gillard.

MERVIN: I think she’s brilliant.

VERONICA: I was just saying that a lot of men seem to ask me whether I’m happy about it.

MERVIN: I don’t think it matters that she’s a woman.

DECLAN: Yes it does.

(pause)

VERONICA: What do you mean Declan?

DECLAN: Well, it’s wrong.  It goes against tradition.

VERONICA: What tradition?

DECLAN: Well, it’s traditionally a man’s world.

(MERVIN howls with laughter)

VERONICA: Oh Declan. Oh no.

MERVIN: (almost choking on his donut) Where did you get that idea?

DECLAN: It’s not an idea, it’s just the way it is.  Men should be in that position, not women.

VERONICA: Oh Declan, you have a long way to go.

DECLAN: But that’s the way it is.

MERVIN: Oh mate, I would stop right there.

VERONICA: Declan, one day you and I are going to have to have a very long talk.

DECLAN: Really?

VERONICA: Yes.  Except I will do the talking, and you will have to listen to me.  Now, until then, I need you to finish the glass, and don’t forget to wipe out the microwave.

DECLAN: Ok.

VERONICA: And then after that if you’re looking for something to do, you can get a few loads of dishes through.

DECLAN: Yes Vee.

MERVIN: (chuckling) Man’s world indeed.

THE END.