A Dozen Black Roses - 4. Act IV

ACT FOUR SCENE ONE

Set as Act One Scene Three in Maggie and Andrew's kitchen one week later.

Early morning.Maggie and Caroline are sat across from each other both just wearing dressing gowns at the breakfast bar.

There is a small sofa by the door to the left of the stage.

There are two empty plates and a large teapot set between the two of them.

A dozen red roses are arranged in a vase at the far end.

MAGGIE(laughing) Well,I would never have imagined a month ago that I'd be sat here with you, having just enjoyed a delicious breakfast.I was lucky to have found someone who is almost as good a cook as I am!

CAROLINE Cheeky-but it is good to be appreciated.After all those lonely mornings of getting up on my own it is so wonderful to just be here with you.

Maggie rises from her stool and walks around to Caroline,standing behind her.She puts her arms around her and turns her round,taking her by the hand.She leads her towards a small sofa situated at the far end of the kitchen.

Where are you taking me?

MAGGIE You'll see!Just come with me.

Maggie pulls Caroline onto the sofa with her and kisses her passionately.Caroline responds and after a minute or two they break apart,gazing into each others'eyes.

CAROLINE Wow!What a way to start one's day.I would have thought that our love making last night would have kept you going for a wee while!

MAGGIE Surely you're not complaining,darling!You have awoken something deeply buried inside me which just cannot be sated.When we're not together physically I just can't stop thinking about you.It is a good job that I am not a man,otherwise being at work would just be a series of embarrassing moments!

CAROLINE Blimey!And there was me a couple of months ago worried sick about telling you how much I loved you,scared that I would destroy our friendship!

MAGGIE Thank God you did or I would never have discovered the delights of lesbian sex!Or maybe it's just your talents that drive me so wild!

CAROLINE(taking Maggie in her arms) Well,I am not exactly experienced,am I?As you already know,apart from yourself,I have only ever slept with one woman before-and that wasn't particularly satisfying.

MAGGIE I do remember you telling me that you never had an orgasm with her. You certainly don't seem to have any problems in that department with me.Watching you 'come' is an entertainment in itself!

They part and settle back on the sofa.Maggie puts her arm around Caroline's shoulder and she cuddles in close.

CAROLINE I shall take that as a compliment.It is funny how things have worked out.When we first met it was not a physical attraction..

MAGGIE(teasingly) So,you didn't much like the look of me,then?

CAROLINE You know I don't mean that!Like I have said to you before I would describe myself as being emotionally bisexual which basically means that I fell in love with your personality before starting to think about you in a sexual way.To find someone with a similar sense of humour to my own was quite amazing for starters!No-one could accuse either of us as looking at the world in a conventional manner!

MAGGIE That's true!So,I suppose me holding back physically was a good thing,really after all.I am sorry it took so long for me to let go but I felt so guilty about Andrew.I guess I too knew that deep down you and I would eventually consummate our relationship.

CAROLINE Well,that discussion that you had with Duncan must have helped.Have you heard anything from him since he told you about his affair with Andrew?

MAGGIE Only the odd 'phone call.I think he was just so embarrassed about it all.Of course,I already knew that he had been unfaithful to Grant but I had no idea who is his lover really was!He swears that he didn't know either.It was finding out that my dear husband was bisexual that was the real shock!

CAROLINE And Andrew has still not come clean?

MAGGIE No.It's all a bit strange,really.Duncan told about me the game that they played with Andrew after I had left the hotel,making out that Grant had told me about the affair but I gather in fact he didn't say anything.Andrew was in one hell of a mess from what I can ascertain.I almost said something to him when he came home after Duncan had left but I just couldn't face it.I was in too much of a shock,I suppose!

CAROLINE(grasping Maggie's hand) It must have been awlful finding out.How do you feel about it all now?

MAGGIE I'm not sure,really.We've been married a long time and I do love him but he had become so distant even when he was here.

CAROLINE Do you reckon he is still sleeping with other men?

MAGGIE I don't know about that either!He told Duncan when they split up that he just regarded him as a 'sex object' and that he would no doubt find some other man to satisfy his needs-but whether he ever did,I don't know.Duncan reckons that it is pretty likely.I gather he couldn't get enough of him on the few occasions they met.

CAROLINE Like you with me then!Would you leave him now that you and I have started sleeping together?

MAGGIE Please,Caroline no more questions!I do love you and you are fantastic in bed-but it's all such a mess!

CAROLINE I'm so sorry,darling.I didn't mean to upset you.Come here!

They embrace and Caroline kisses her passionately.She rolls her back onto the sofa and opens Maggie's dressing gown to expose her breasts.Caroline lowers her head and gently starts to suck Maggie's nipples.

MAGGIE I'm sorry too.(Gasping) Let's forget all about those godforsaken men for the moment!

She raises her head to return Caroline's kiss.

I really don't know why you put up with me sometimes. I am such a hopeless case!

CAROLINE (laughing) That may be-but at least you are now my 'hopeless case'. I have always known that my patience and perseverance would pay off eventually. I have waited a lifetime to find someone who I can love and care for as I do you and... now-you are finally all mine!

MAGGIE What can I say? I must admit that at first I found our relationship so stressful-you being so in love with me and me being married.I felt so guilty not being able to commit fully to you and-as for Andrew...

CAROLINE (taking Maggie into her arms once more) I know.I guess I cut you more slack than I have ever done for anyone else-but then I have never loved someone like I do you. I would lay down my life for you-if that occasion ever arose.

MAGGIE Oh,Caroline!

She kisses Caroline with a great urgency,exploring her mouth with her tongue. Caroline loosens the cord of Maggie's dressing gown and parts the material to reveal her lower body as well. She caresses her skin and lets her hands wander downwards. Maggie swings up legs up onto the sofa so she is stretched out along its length. Caroline,kneeling places kisses from her breasts down to her pubic hair.

Darling,show me again just how much you do love me. Why did I wait so long for this?

Caroline places her tongue on Maggie’s clitoris and flicks it gently. She traces the first few letters of the alphabet onto it and then licks from her vaginal entrance back up towards her clitoris. Maggie groans. Caroline gently inserts a finger into Maggie's vagina and gazes lovingly at her girlfriend.

CAROLINE I am not hurting you am I,darling?

Maggie’s eyes are half closed.

MAGGIE (with a slurred voice) God,that feels good. I am not 100% sure about asking you this-but... will you take me properly? You know-like a man would?

CAROLINE (in mock horror) You mean with that strap-on thing that you were so horrified with?

Maggie nods.

Well,I think it is still in my suitcase.It got left in there from last time-but..are you sure? I have only ever used it once and that was years ago.

MAGGIE (heavy with emotion) Just get it-and don’t do your usual dithering!

Caroline stands up and walks out of the door to their bedroom. Maggie covers herself up with her dressing gown and closes her eyes. Pause. Caroline enters holding the strap-on gingerly in both hands.

CAROLINE (whispering) Just give me a minute or two. I can’t quite remember how this thing goes.

She slips off her dressing gown and places it on the breakfast bar.She wraps the thing around her, securing the buckles. The black member is jutting out from her in an obscene fashion. Reaching into the pocket of the gown she takes out a small tube of lubrication and squeezes alittle into her right hand. She massages the cream along the shaft of the strap-on. Maggie looks over at her and laughs.

MAGGIE By God,you look like Andrew having a wank!

CAROLINE (self consciously) Well,I am not sure how to take that,all things considering! I feel a bit daft-if the truth be told.

MAGGIE Just come over here-and make me all yours!

Caroline gingerly walks over to the sofa and pulls Maggie onto the floor. Taking control,she maneouvres her onto her back and parts her dressing gown. She grabs a cushion from the sofa and places beneath Maggie’s hips.

I shall not forget this day in a hurry! Make love to me,darling.

Caroline,now fully focused draws up Maggie’s knees and positions herself so that the tip of the phallus is resting against the entrance to Maggie’s vagina. She takes a deep breath and pushes the phallus gently in,looking up towards Maggie whose eyes are half closed again. Feeling more confident,Caroline pushes herself fully in. Maggie moans.

Oh,my God! That feels fantastic. Take me to Paradise!

Caroline starts to build up a rhythm and grins,using her arms to support herself over Maggie’s body,their crotches thrusting together.

CAROLINE Bloody hell,so this is what it feels like to be a man. Shame I can’t come,though!

MAGGIE (gasping) Well,may be you can’t but here’s mine!

Her vaginal muscles grip the phallus and her body spasms. She reaches up for Caroline and holds her tightly,the phallus still buried deeply inside her.

Well,you could put Andrew to shame any day!

CAROLINE (rolling away and quickly unstrapping the phallus,throws it behind the sofa) I don’t think that is much of a compliment-but I sure did enjoy that!

She stands up and offers her hand to Maggie. They both snuggle back up on the sofa and secure their dressing gowns.

Now how about you suck my nipples and have a little fondle down below so I can come too?

MAGGIE (laughing) I reckon I could manage that-after that wonderful orgasm that you have just given me!

She parts Caroline’s gown, lowers her head and starts to suck her nipples. She is about to slip her hand through the folds of material into her crotch... Pause

The door is opened and Andrew walks into the room carrying a large bouquet of flowers.

ANDREW Hello,darling! I'm home.

He sees Caroline and Maggie making love on the sofa.

Oh,my God! What the hell is going on here?

The two women break apart and hurriedly straighten their clothing.They look shocked and flustered.

MAGGIE (stuttering) Andrew!I thought you were back home later.

ANDREW (sarcastically) Obviously!I can't believe what I'm seeing.

He points his finger accusingly at Caroline.

My wife was...sucking your nipples!!How the hell do you explain away that one?It is not the usual service offered to a sales rep!

CAROLINE(indignantly) I am a mortgage broker actually,not a sales rep!

ANDREW Will you shut up?I am speaking to my wife!

MAGGIE Perhaps you had better go,Caroline.It is not going to help you being here!

CAROLINE No way!I am not going anywhere.I am not leaving you with him!

She stands up and faces Andrew.

Now, what exactly is your problem?

ANDREW (sarcastically) My problem? I come home and find you two making out on the sofa!I didn't even realise that you saw each other anymore,let alone that you were so intimate!

Maggie sits in stunned silence looking at each person in turn as they speak.

CAROLINE We only started sleeping together this week..

ANDREW (sarcastically) Oh,well that's alright then!

CAROLINE -since Maggie found out about your infidelities!

ANDREW (stuttering) I don't know what you are on about!

Maggie comes out of her stupor.

MAGGIE Thought you had got away with that one,did you?

She stands up and walks over to the breakfast bar,leaning against it.She indicates to Caroline to sit back down on the sofa which she reluctantly does.

ANDREW I don't have the slightest idea what you are going on about.All I do know is that I have just got home after a very hectic few days away..

CAROLINE (under her breath) I bet they were!

ANDREW (facing Caroline) What did you say?

CAROLINE (innocently) Nothing!

ANDREW (turning to face his wife) As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted,I got home and found you in the arms of..that hussy!

He points at Caroline.

Maggie straightens up and walks towards her husband.

MAGGIE Duncan came round last Sunday before you managed to find your way home and told me everything!

ANDREW And what did he tell you exactly?

MAGGIE He told me that you two had slept together-but that he didn't know who you were.He had no idea that you were my husband.Are you saying that he was lying?

ANDREW Yes,I am.That poof would tell you anything to stir things up between us!

MAGGIE And,why would he do that?

ANDREW Because he's jealous!

MAGGIE Of what?He's gay.I have known Duncan for years.I believe what he told me.

Caroline rises from the sofa and goes over to Andrew.Maggie sits down at the breakfast bar.

CAROLINE Come on,Andrew,admit it!You wanted to try it out with a man!There is nothing wrong with being bisexual!

ANDREW (sarcastically) Like you,you mean?You'll be suggesting next that I join you in some sort of club!

CAROLINE I am proud of my sexuality.Why can't you admit what you really are?

ANDREW (becoming emotional) OK,I admit it! I was curious-I had a look at afew gay sites online and arranged to meet up with Duncan.

Maggie gasps.

CAROLINE Finally!

Andrew starts to cry.He goes over to the sofa and collapses onto it.

Why the hell are you crying?

ANDREW Because it was a moment of weakness.Because I love my wife and I can't bear the thought of having been unfaithful to her!Isn't that enough?

And,oh yes,because I have just found her having sex with a woman!

CAROLINE God,give me strength! Duncan told Maggie that you two had had sex several times-and no doubt you've been with other men since him-so how the devil can that just be 'a moment of weakness'?

ANDREW (sobbing) Duncan's lying.I only slept with him once-and there has been nobody since.I love Maggie.I won't hurt her for the world!

Caroline goes over to the sofa.

CAROLINE Well,I've got news for you,sunshine.She doesn't love you.I have been here every night this week since you left for London on Tuesday..and I haven't been sleeping in the spare room!Maggie is too good for you,regardless of how many men you have-or have not-slept with.I love her more than you and...she has just told me that I am a damn better lover than you will ever be!

Maggie is once again staring at the two of them,uncertain where her loyalties lie.

Andrew goes over to his wife and drops onto his kneees,wrapping his arms around her legs.

ANDREW Please,Maggie,tell her you still love me!Tell me that Caroline was just a moment of weakness for you too.

Maggie glances across at Caroline and finds strength from her encouraging look.

MAGGIE (calmly) Get up,Andrew!Caroline is right.I do still love you but I love her more.Over the last few months she has made me feel appreciated and special,something which you have failed to do for a long time.Even when you are at home you are distant and half the time make up some excuse why you won't sleep with me.I always thought that it was us women who came up with the phoney excuses.I was beginning to suspect that you had developed a brain tumour from all the headaches that you claimed to be suffering from!

Andrew lets go of Maggie's legs and goes to sit across from her at the breakfast bar. Caroline looks on,bemused.

ANDREW I am so sorry,Maggie.I admit that I was confused but I can't live without you!I love you so much.Can we not try again to make this work?We have been married for fifteen years!

CAROLINE One would get less for murder!Come on,Maggie let's go.We'll come back in a couple of days and pick up your stuff or..better still we'll come back and change the locks so,snivelling git here can't get back in!

She goes over to Maggie and stretches out her hand.

MAGGIE (wavering) I'm still not sure,Caroline.What if he is telling the truth?Are you one hundred per cent sure that this is what you really want?To be with me,I mean!

Andrew watches them nervously.Caroline takes Maggie's hands,gazing into her eyes.

CAROLINE Darling,I fell in love with you months ago.You are the centre of my universe and when you are free from this slimeball it will be me on my knees in front of you,not begging for your forgiveness but asking you to marry me!Without you my life would not be worth living.Come with me now and let me show you the 'Paradise' that you have already shown me.

MAGGIE I remember that line from my birthday!I do love you,sweetheart.Let's go now before my guilt and misgivings kick in again!

She turns to face her husband who is openly sobbing.

I am so sorry,Andrew!

They exit.

Andrew watches them go.

Lights fade.

ACT FOUR SCENE TWO

As Act Two Scene Two.Steve's flat.The following day-lunchtime.

The room is tidy .

There are two glasses of beer on the table.

Steve is pacing around the room,obviously on edge.

A loud rap at the door followed by the sound of a key being turned in the lock.

Andrew bursts in.

ANDREW(jubliantly) I've done it!She's left me!

STEVE(relieved) Thank God,you're here.I was beginning to worry.

The two men embrace and kiss passionately.

Come and sit down.Did it all go to plan?

They sit together on the sofa.

ANDREW Wow,you've even poured me a drink in anticipation!Yes,it went like a dream.

STEVE Do tell!

ANDREW Well,like you predicted that Caroline woman had stayed the night-and as usual my timing was impeccable-they were actually 'at it' as I walked in the door!

STEVE No!They must have been shocked rigid to see you standing there!

ANDREW Well,once that woman had tore her eyes away from my wife's tits long enough!Thank God Grant confides in you..

STEVE Well,what with us working together so much at the hospital..It still amazes me what we doctors talk about during an operation!

ANDREW I can quite imagine you standing there administering the anaesthetic whilst Grant,deftly slicing into the patient reveals the family secrets!

STEVE I think you have been watching too many of those hospital dramas but that was basically it.We were just talking about his recent civil partnership ceremony and he mentioned that it almost never happened.I probed him..

ANDREW You are a particular expert in that field,lover!

STEVE Indeed!Eventually,he told me that Maggie had confessed over the telephone to Duncan that Caroline had been spending the night at your place.I still don't quite understand why you could not have just left your wife without all these shenigans.

ANDREW Because the bitch needed to be taught a lesson!She thought she was being so clever.Grant might not have told her at the wedding about my affair but Duncan certainly spilled the beans.I suppose she thought that by keeping quiet about it our life would go on much as before,not as that was any great shakes!It feels so good knowing that she has been in a state of torment all week,never really knowing if Duncan was a one-off or whether I was still actively seeking out other men.I suspected that she and Caroline were getting too close for comfort-and when you confirmed those suspicions,well it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

I bet dear old Maggie is feeling really guilty.Even if I say so myself,my performance yesterday was worthy of an Oscar!

STEVE How did it all end then?

ANDREW Well,I made out that I had only slept with Duncan once and had never looked at another man since.I wept so many tears that I thought I was going to have to restock up on the onions!Man,was I good!

STEVE I am so glad that I am your friend rather than an enemy,Andrew!

ANDREW Well,your lover,Steve rather than your friend and only one of many-but I do appreciate your undercover work!

STEVE If you were female,Andrew I would call you a bitch!

ANDREW Anyway,by the time I left I was in floods of tears,begging for forgiveness.At one point I thought I had gone too far because Maggie almost caved in whether through her so-called love for me or more likely guilt,deciding to choose me over Caroline.Thank God her 'girlfriend' is so butch otherwise I might have been forced to take Maggie back,heaven forbid!Caroline asserted her dominance-very touching-and Maggie left the house with her.They were talking about returning today to change the locks but,hah,hah,I did that yesterday!

STEVE So,what happens now?

ANDREW I am going home later-after I have had my wicked way with you!All this scheming and revenge seeking has given me a terrific hard-on!

STEVE And Maggie will stay at Caroline's,I suppose?

ANDREW I don't really care what happens to her.She left me,didn't she?I know a bloody good solicitor who will make sure that nobody believes that I was the first one to commit adultery.I will have her on the grounds of desertion and sneak that house from under her nose.I have had enough of women to last me a lifetime!

STEVE And what about you,asides from the house,I mean?Do you still consider yourself to be bisexual?

ANDREW Good God,no!I intend to essentially carry on as before,really.I enjoy my work and travelling around so much means that there is always plenty of opportunities to pick up some tasty young thing to take my pleasure with.

Andrew grins at him.

I shall live the life of a 'young' gay man getting plenty of sex with no strings attached and with no silly little woman-or man for that matter-at home questioning my every move.I suppose I shall be making up for lost time.They always say 'youth is wasted on the young'!

STEVE(shocked) I hope you don't mind me saying this,Andrew but I am very glad that you are not my boyfriend!I was not too happy about how you treated Maggie-when it comes down to it she has really been the innocent party in all this-but now,well I reckon you have lost the plot!

You betrayed her by sleeping around behind her back and from what I can gather despite her growing feelings for her friend she remained faithful to you-and now you are trying to punish her!It does not make any sense,mate!

Andrew stands up and heads for the door,glancing back at Steve.

ANDREW Save your lecture for someone who gives a damn!Being free from Maggie feels like being released from the proverbial cage and,OK,I might get my feathers singed from time to time but,man I sure am going to fly high and..don't worry,my dick won't fall off-I shall wear a condom!!

He exits.

Steve stares at the door as he slams it shut and shakes his head in disbelief.

A key is pushed at some speed through the letterbox.

I won't be needing that now either.Have fun,girlfriend!

Lights fade to black.

The curtain falls.

The End