2023

RACOLO:
… And then what happened?

ESMODONTI:
They gave my position to some dude and now they want me
to go back to waiting tables.  Can you believe that?

RACOLO:
But you’re the best bartender they have.

ESMODONTI:
Ya got that right, and that’s mixologist. I’ll tell ya Roc,
this new owner and me - we just don’t click, ya know.
He’s always tickin’ me off and I’m getting real tired of it.

RACOLO:
Maybe it’s time to quit?

ESMODONTI:
I’ve been thinkin’ about it, but then I’d have to look for  
a new job. I don’t have time for that.

HARMONIA:
Pardon me for over-hearing ya’ll but …

HARMONIA:
… Why look for a  job when ya’ll can open
your own place and work for yourself?

ESMODONTI:
Open my own place? 

HARMONIA:
Why Esmodonti, I think that’s a great idea. You’d be a
wonderful proprietess. Ya really ought to go and do just that. 

RACOLO:
Uh Harmonia, that’s your idea, you just said it.

HARMONIA:
Heavens to Betsy - did I really? Well then it’s all the
more better, and worthy of your consideration.

ESMODONTI:
I’ve always wanted my own place. Just a little pub
with a grill ya know,  a simple menu, maybe a
small stage for local talent …

RACOLO:

OK, let’s do it.

ESMODNTI:
Just like that? It takes money Roc, big money.

RACOLO:
We have money.

ESMODONTI:
You mean you have money.

RACOLO:
No, we have money - ever since we said I do.

ESMODONTI:
Ya mean you’d give me all your … 

ESMODONTI:
Ya know Roc, you’re just the coolest. 

ESMODONTI:
… Isn’t he just the coolest?

HARMONIA:
I should say so.

ESMODONTI:
Are we really gonna do this?

RACOLO:
Yeah, we really are, but before we do anything
- I’m gonna check on our kid.

ESMODONTI:
Hey Roc - don’t forget to tell our little elf-kin that
his mama’s about to be a proprietess!

RACOLO:
Will do.

ESMODONTI:
Man, I really dig the sound of that - pro-priet-ESS. This is so fab! 

HARMONIA:
Sure is.
Hey - did ya’ll hear that?

ESMODONTI:
What?

HARMONIA:
That buzzin’ sound.

ESMODONTI:
Ya mean the refrigerator?

HARMONIA:
The refrigerator doesn’t make no buzzing sound girl.
The refrigerator hums. This is a buzzin’ sound - like an insect,
a very irritating insect. There it is again!

ESMODONTI:
I’m not hearing anything out of the ordinary.

HARMONIA:
Are ya sure? I been hearing this on and off for about a
week now. And if ya’ll can’t hear it, with them super
sensitive elf ears of yours, I must be goin’ crackers.

ESMODONTI:
Maybe you should let Syrrah have a look at ya.

HARMONIA:
Now you tell me how letting Syrrah look at me
is gonna do any good?

ESMODONTI:
She’s a healer.

HARMONIA:
She is, isn’t she? I plum forgot. That’s an excellent idea, hon.
I’ll go see her directly. Wake up Albert ya lazy cat, we best
be getting along now.