Scene 6 – Set 5 (Mike’s Club “HATS”) – Song #18
It's almost midnight. BONNIE and MIKE have been talking for over an hour and a half. We join their conversation.
BONNIE
Mike, you’re a great guy. You deserve Jenny’s full attention. If she’s not interested in being there for you, shame on her.
MIKE
Thanks Bon. But it’s not all her fault. The truth is I wish I could make things right between us.
Bonnie is too shocked to be disappointed.
BONNIE
I’m sorry. I didn’t understand. You still really love her, don’t you?
Pause. Bonnie is disappointed.
I thought you and Jen were on the outs, otherwise I wouldn't be here. I promise from now on I will assume you are permanently off limits, and I will ignore any negative inferences made by you or the boys.
Mike is happily surprised Bonnie has changed tactics and is no longer hoping he and Jenny break up.
MIKE
Bonnie. I am so glad you feel that way. You're a true friend… someone I can always count on.
Overwhelmed by the moment from Bonnie's honesty and good will, Mike gives Bonnie a big hug. The hug lasts for several seconds. During their hug, JENNY enters the club unnoticed. Jenny is horrified to see Bonnie with Mike.
JENNY
When you said you would be playing tonight, I thought you meant pool.
Bonnie and Mike are startled and react with surprise and horror.
MIKE
Jen!
BONNIE
Jenny, we were just talking.
Jenny looks at Bonnie.
JENNY
I think you should go.
Bonnie gathers her things from the table. Jenny doesn’t look at Bonnie as Bonnie walks past her and out the front the door.
MIKE
Jen, let me explain.
He pauses. Jenny doesn’t move. Mike continues his appeal.
I haven’t been feeling so good about myself recently, and…
JENNY
Oh, so Bonnie’s your nurse?
MIKE
In a way, I guess you can say she is.
JENNY
You need your temperature taken? Where’s the broom? I’ll take it.
Pause. Jenny quickly looks around the room.
MIKE
Come on Jen.
JENNY
Why Mike? I don't excite you any more?
MIKE
Jen, this wasn’t about sex.
JENNY
Oh no? Then what was it?
MIKE
Well, the truth is you’re not exactly excited to see me anymore. You don’t smile or even look at me when we’re together.
JENNY
So you’re telling me the reason you're having an affair is my fault?
MIKE
I’m not having an affair. When was the last time you asked me what I was thinking about, or feeling? It’s always the kids, and the dog, and the fish, and the house, and the pool, and the yard, and the bills, and schedules, and who needs what.
JENNY
So you’re having an affair to punish me? Has it occurred to you maybe I'm exhausted?
MIKE
I’m not having an affair. And I'm not trying to punish anyone. It’s just that it’s never my turn. I’m always next. Jen, I need you to understand.
JENNY
You need me to understand? I’m home alone thinking you're spending time with friends. I’ll give you one guess who is at the house looking for you.
Mike reacts as if he now knows why Jenny has come to the club.
MIKE
Jen, I’m really sorry. I promise, if you just remain calm we can work this out. I love you.
JENNY
Remain calm? You love me?
MIKE
Please be fair and try to understand. Jen, I need you.
JENNY
Be fair? Understand? You love me? You need me?
Jenny becomes animated as if Mike hit a nerve. The music starts to Song #18 – “I Don’t Care No More.”
You showed me what you think of me when you spent time with her.
Don’t tell me to slow down and treat you fair.
You had the chance to show the love and need you have in me.
Now honey it’s too late and I don’t care.
I don’t care if you love me.
I don’t care if you kick her out the door.
I don’t care if you need me.
I don’t care if you drop dead on the floor.
'Cause I don’t care. I don’t care no more.
I could understand if I leave you unsatisfied.
But I know you know no one can compare.
Yet you claim now I’m to blame, that you are justified.
Well, either way it’s too late. I don't care.
I don’t care if you love me.
I don’t care if you kick her out the door.
I don’t care if you need me.
I don’t care if you drop dead on the floor.
'Cause I don’t care. I don’t care no more.
I don’t care.
I don’t care.
I don’t care.
I don’t care no more.
You say that I mean more to you than I could ever know.
Without me rock ‘n roll becomes the blues.
Yet you bet me on a chance that I would never know.
You know you never risk what you can’t afford to lose.
I don’t care if you love me.
I don’t care if you kick her out the door.
I don’t care if you need me.
I don’t care if you drop dead on the floor.
'Cause I don’t care. I don’t care no more.
Jenny turns and starts to walk out. She faces Mike to sing the last line of the song, then turns around again on her way toward the door.
I don’t care. I don’t care no more.
Jenny exits the club. The music fades. Mike is left standing at the club. He walks over to the stage, sits and falls back, just as he had done at the end of Scene 4, ACT I. The lights go down. End of Scene 6, ACT II.