A Periodic Table
February 5th, 2021
Starring: Armando (male, 30-45), Keke (female, 30-45)
Dinnertime, a smallish kitchen. There’s a small stack of dishes already in the sink. In a breakfast nook, a rectangular wood table, draped in a tablecloth. There’s a table setting for one, where Armando sits with his plate. He’s just started to eat when Keke enters, looking wiped, bag slung over the shoulder.
KEKE
Hi.
ARMANDO
Hi.
KEKE
We decided to break early.
ARMANDO
Shoot. I only made enough for me.
KEKE
It’s ok. You didn’t know, I didn’t know.
ARMANDO
I can whip you up—
KEKE
Don’t move. I’ll find something.
Keke rummages through a cabinet and finds some comfort snack. She brings the whole bag and settles in the chair across from Armando.
KEKE
Look at us, sitting down at the same time.
ARMANDO
Pretty momentous.
…
KEKE
How was work?
ARMANDO
Busy.
You?
KEKE
Busy.
...
Were you gonna work on the table tonight?
ARMANDO
...I wasn’t planning on it.
KEKE
You have to be pretty close to done.
ARMANDO
I am.
KEKE
You are?
ARMANDO
I finished this weekend.
KEKE
Wait where is it?
Armando knocks a knuckle on the wood. Keke looks down and realizes, pulling up the tablecloth to look:
KEKE
Oh. Oh my god.
Sorry I couldn’t tell with the—
It’s stunning!
The color and the finish and
Really it’s...
Don’t you think?
ARMANDO
It came out well.
...
KEKE
I wish you’d told me.
ARMANDO
I wanted to see if you’d notice.
KEKE
Well
I didn’t.
But I’m no less floored by your craftsmanship.
ARMANDO
It looks a lot better with you on the end. That’s how I built it.
KEKE
I know.
ARMANDO
And I know you’re not trying to not be here.
...
But I’m seeing you five hours out of every 72. I’m not equipped for that.
KEKE
I’m not equipped for it either. I hate it. But I can’t not—
ARMANDO
I get it—
KEKE
It’s gonna slow down. As soon as the study’s published in April—
ARMANDO
“As soon as.” That’s the thing. My worry is it’s always going to be “as soon as.” Your lab’s like a hydra. Cut off one project, two more sprout up.
KEKE
It’s my job. This is my job right now. We’re chasing really big molecular fish.
ARMANDO
And I’m proud of you.
KEKE
So you gotta let me weather this. I know it’s lonely, but you gotta let it be.
ARMANDO
Ok.
KEKE
The guilt’s not gonna help us.
ARMANDO
Ok.
KEKE
Not me, at least—
ARMANDO
Ok.
I understand.
…
KEKE
I love the table. I really really do.
ARMANDO
Thank you.
...
You sure no dinner?
KEKE
All I need’s a shower.
I’ll come down after.
ARMANDO
I’ll be here. Dishes.
Armando smiles. Keke smiles back, followed by a look that reads “are we ok?” Armando’s face doesn’t provide much of an answer. Keke gives the table a double pat, then gets up with her snack and exits.
Armando looks down at his food. He plays around with it on his fork, then puts it down and brings the plate to the counter. He takes a piece of foil and covers it, then puts it in the fridge. He puts his head down and gets to work on the pots and pans.