Exercises In Style - Olfactory & Drama

Plot:

A young woman is sitting at an outside café table eating a red velvet cupcake when a homeless man shuffles up; asking her for some change. When she initially refuses providing him with any money she offers him her cupcake; this is where they differ.

DRAMA

ACT ONE

SCENE 1

A young woman is seen sitting at an outside café table on a sunny warm afternoon in midtown Manhattan. In front of her sits a rich, decedent red velvet cupcake. Licking her lips expectantly she prepares to bite into it, when a shabby homeless man walks up to her.

HOMELESS MAN: Excuse me, miss? Could you, please, spare any change? I’m hungry.

The young woman quickly glances at him but quickly looks away, ignoring him.

HOMELESS MAN: (clears throat loudly) excuse me, miss? I don’t mean to be disrespectful or interrupt you but, I was wondering if you could, possibly, spare some change? I’m very hungry.

YOUNG WOMAN: (sniffs) I’m sorry but, I don’t have any more. (Gestures to the cupcake) I just spent it on this.

HOMELESS MAN: (shuffles closer) anything you could spare would be greatly appreciated. I haven’t had a meal in (drags out the word “so”) soooooo long.

YOUNG WOMAN: (sighs, annoyed) I’m sorry but, as I said, I don’t have any more spare change. However, if you would like, I can give this cupcake to you.

HOMELESS MAN: (surprised) excuse me? (Offended, angry, loudly) NO, I don’t want no cupcake. I didn’t ask for your cupcake. I asked for some change!

There is muted silence while the young woman, who has so far averted her eyes of the homeless man, finally gawks at him. Shock is registered on her face but then it slowly melts away and is replaced by cold indifference.

YOUNG WOMAN: (gets up) well, then. (Gathers up red velvet cupcake) You, clearly, must not be all that hungry! (Leaves)



OLFACTORY

Oh my God, this cupcake smells good! I have never smelled anything like this. It just seems to tickle my senses. The quiet, yet delightful waft of chocolate goodness; the decedent aroma of cheesecake frosting; my mouth is just watering at the thought of this one bite….but, wait….what’s this? What is this smell that is intruding upon my safe haven of bliss? It smells like a mixture of dried sweat; dirty, sweaty gym socks; hot and spicy cheese doodles. My nose wrinkles in disgust, my mouth waters and gags in response to this intrusive smell. Where is that smell coming from?! I look around furtively for the source of the smell or, at least, a manager when I notice him. I pretend to not notice him and sneak a quick glance. He speaks and the odor that issues from his mouth smells like a thousand landfills that have been set on fire. I gag silently, my eyes watering. I sneak another look and he’s waiting, expectantly, for my reply. I offer him my sweet, sweet aroma filled sunshine in the hopes that he goes away. A rebuff? How dare he offend my offer of warm sunshine that smells of chocolate waterfalls? Well, more for me!