Mike and his girlfriend Molly are going to a beach cottage for a weekend and ask Rob to join them. At the last minute, Molly also invites a work colleague, Penny to also come. Neither of the two invited ones knows about the other coming.
Mike & Molly pull up outside Rob’s apartment and honk the horn. He comes out with his things and throws them into the back of his SUV. He notices a head in the back seat, then a surprised face looking at him. He gets into the back seat and there sits Penny.
Molly turns around: We have a surprise. Rob, this is Penny. We invited Penny last minute.
Penny doesn’t seem impressed and after an insipid smile, looks ahead impassively. Mike and Molly try to keep the atmosphere light and Rob engages with them but Penny only speaks when addressed.
They get to the cottage and while old, is well maintained. The location is ideal, the sound of the waves on the beach soothing. On entering, they are greeted by a small lounge area. The kitchen is minimalist and a basic dining suite is up against a wall.
The main bedroom has a double bed and the second bedroom a bunk set.
Mike: Oh, we didn’t think about the sleeping arrangements. I hope you two don’t mind sharing the bunks?
Penny: Really Mike, this is too much!
Molly: We are so sorry about this. What are we going to do?
Rob: I’m open minded on this but understand if Penny isn’t so comfortable about it.
Penny: I’m open minded! I’ll have the top bunk if you don’t mind.
They all unpack. Rob puts his sleeping bag on the lower bunk and his clothes he leaves in his bag. The food he brought he takes into the kitchen. The others do the same and they make supper. They light the fire and eat with their plates on their laps. While Mike and Molly go into their bedroom to make the bed up, Polly and Rob are left together.
Rob: I get the impression Polly you were as surprised as I was to find a fourth traveller.
Penny: Yes, I was hoping for a quiet trip, my own room and some space to unwind.
Rob: I’m sorry. I’ll bear that in mind. What sort of work do you do Polly?
Penny: I’m a waitress if you must know. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to take a walk along the beach before it gets dark.
Rob: I get the impression Polly you were as surprised as I was to find a fourth traveller.
Penny: Yes, I was hoping for a quiet trip, my own room and some space to unwind.
Rob: I’m sorry. I’ll bear that in mind. What sort of work do you do Polly?
Penny: I’m a waitress if you must know. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to take a walk along the beach before it gets dark.
Rob lets her go and after a few minutes he also go out but sits on the beach. Mike and Molly join him.
Mike: Isn’t it lovely hearing the waves crashing on the sand?
Molly: Sure is. She looks at Penny now some distance away. We should have told you we invited her. I work with her and she’s had a recent break up with her boyfriend of some years. She’s a bit anti male at the moment.
Rob: No problem. I appreciate you inviting me.
They sit and enjoy and as it becomes dark, Polly arrives back.
Penny: Sorry I’ve been a bit distant. I’ve been struggling in social settings.
Mike: Isn’t it lovely hearing the waves crashing on the sand?
Molly: Sure is. She looks at Penny now some distance away. We should have told you we invited her. I work with her and she’s had a recent break up with her boyfriend of some years. She’s a bit anti male at the moment.
Rob: No problem. I appreciate you inviting me.
They sit and enjoy and as it becomes dark, Polly arrives back.
Penny: Sorry I’ve been a bit distant. I’ve been struggling in social settings.
They all head for bed. Penny goes first and once on the top bunk, Rob enters & change into his sleepwear. Rob doesn’t hide and he senses Penny peeking but he doesn’t mind.
His sleep is fitful and he hears Penny gingerly coming down the ladder at about 11pm.
He whispers: Can’t you sleep either?
Penny: No, I’m going for a drink. Do you want one?
Rob: Thanks, I’ll join you.
His sleep is fitful and he hears Penny gingerly coming down the ladder at about 11pm.
He whispers: Can’t you sleep either?
Penny: No, I’m going for a drink. Do you want one?
Rob: Thanks, I’ll join you.
Polly: My break up with my boyfriend affected me far more than I realised.
Rob: I'm sorry for what you went through. Do you want to talk about it?
Penny: I'm not sure. But I need to. He was controlling and manipulating. He was even physically abusive once.
Rob: Bad. So you decided to end it?
Penny: No, he dumped me for another girl.
Rob: Yet through all of that, it's still difficult to walk away?
Penny: I know. That's the hardest part. I still love him.
Rob: Would you have him back?
Penny: It didn't work out with his new girlfriend and he's tried to come back but I've resisted.
Rob: Good for you. An abusive relationship is toxic. I guess he's promised he's changed and it will be different next time.
Penny: That's exactly what he says.
Rob: I can't say it isn't true but unless he's received professional help, he probably isn't going to change.
Penny: I know that. So do you have anyone?
Rob: No. I have had casual girlfriends, more as a date for a party. Nothing serious.
Penny pauses, then speaks: I'm sorry for being grumpy earlier.
Rob: It's okay. Now I know you're hurt, it becomes understandable.
Penny: You are kind. Maybe we can enjoy the weekend after all.
They go back to their bunks. The next day, the atmosphere is much better. Polly is in a good space. Mike and Rob go for a walk along the beach.
Mike: Rob, I'm sorry we didn't tell you about Penny.
Rob: She opened up last night and I think the trip has done her good. Nothing to apologise for.
Mike: Rob, I'm sorry we didn't tell you about Penny.
Rob: She opened up last night and I think the trip has done her good. Nothing to apologise for.
Meanwhile, the two ladies go and sit on the beach.
Molly to Penny: You seem happier today.
Penny: Rob was understanding last night. He listened. He didn't try to tell me what to do. He just listened and gave some support.
Molly: Rob's a good listener.
Penny: He is. He's given me a lot to think about.
Molly: So, you and Rob?
Penny: Too soon Molly.
They all meet up for lunch and the afternoon is spent swimming and sunbathing. As evening arrives, they have a BBQ. Penny and Rob sit alone while Mike and Molly go into the cottage.
Penny: I'm curious Rob. Most guys in a relaxed setting like this would be annoyingly over friendly if they liked a lady. You don't feel that way toward me?
Rob: I grew up in a religious home. I didn't follow my parents' faith but their standards on sex and morals still influence me. I am also respectful to women in that I don't see them as a conquest or someone to use for pleasure. In fact, I'm still a virgin. Crazy in my mid 20's I know.
Penny: Not crazy at all. I think that's admirable.
Rob: So it's not that I don't like you, I think you're very nice. I'm also shy around women, so I can come across as disinterested romantically.
Penny: That's refreshing.
Mike comes out: There's a band playing at the local pub. Shall we go?
Penny: I'd love to.
Molly to Penny: You seem happier today.
Penny: Rob was understanding last night. He listened. He didn't try to tell me what to do. He just listened and gave some support.
Molly: Rob's a good listener.
Penny: He is. He's given me a lot to think about.
Molly: So, you and Rob?
Penny: Too soon Molly.
They all meet up for lunch and the afternoon is spent swimming and sunbathing. As evening arrives, they have a BBQ. Penny and Rob sit alone while Mike and Molly go into the cottage.
Penny: I'm curious Rob. Most guys in a relaxed setting like this would be annoyingly over friendly if they liked a lady. You don't feel that way toward me?
Rob: I grew up in a religious home. I didn't follow my parents' faith but their standards on sex and morals still influence me. I am also respectful to women in that I don't see them as a conquest or someone to use for pleasure. In fact, I'm still a virgin. Crazy in my mid 20's I know.
Penny: Not crazy at all. I think that's admirable.
Rob: So it's not that I don't like you, I think you're very nice. I'm also shy around women, so I can come across as disinterested romantically.
Penny: That's refreshing.
Mike comes out: There's a band playing at the local pub. Shall we go?
Penny: I'd love to.
They arrive at the pub and Mike and Molly sit at a table while Penny and Rob go to the bar.
Penny: Rob, I'd like to get to know you better.
Rob: I'd like that. I can't believe I'm feeling this way so soon but there is something open and genuine about you that I feel know you well already.
Penny: I know. This feels so natural. So easy. So right.
Rob: We have to also accept that there is still much to learn. But I'd love to continue our friendship after we get back to civilisation.
Penny: I'd love that too. I told Molly earlier it's too soon for this sort of thing and yet here I am doing the opposite.
Rob smiles: We can take it slowly.
Penny: Rob, I'd like to get to know you better.
Rob: I'd like that. I can't believe I'm feeling this way so soon but there is something open and genuine about you that I feel know you well already.
Penny: I know. This feels so natural. So easy. So right.
Rob: We have to also accept that there is still much to learn. But I'd love to continue our friendship after we get back to civilisation.
Penny: I'd love that too. I told Molly earlier it's too soon for this sort of thing and yet here I am doing the opposite.
Rob smiles: We can take it slowly.
They go back to the cottage for their last night. As Penny and Rob go into their bedroom, Rob almost feels awkward. Penny sits on the top bunk changing and Rob on the lower one. She leans her head over and looks down at me.
Penny: I'm glad Molly invited us.
Rob: Me too.
The next day they pack up, have one last walk along the beach all together. Penny kicks water at Rob and he reciprocates. The drive home is so much better. Penny even reaches out and holds Rob’s hand for part of the journey. Mike looks through the rear vision mirror and smiles. They drop Rob off first.
Rob: Thanks for an amazing weekend guys. I'll text you Penny and we can go out soon if you want.
Penny: I'd like that.
Mike: See ya Rob.
Molly: Bye Rob. She gives Rob a thumbs up and a wink. He waves them off and enters his apartment. After unpacking, he showers and then sits down to relax. His phone pings.
Penny: Hi Rob. Just wanted to say again that I had a great time. I'd love to see you soon.
Rob: I'll hold you to that. He hangs up and smiles.
Penny: I'm glad Molly invited us.
Rob: Me too.
The next day they pack up, have one last walk along the beach all together. Penny kicks water at Rob and he reciprocates. The drive home is so much better. Penny even reaches out and holds Rob’s hand for part of the journey. Mike looks through the rear vision mirror and smiles. They drop Rob off first.
Rob: Thanks for an amazing weekend guys. I'll text you Penny and we can go out soon if you want.
Penny: I'd like that.
Mike: See ya Rob.
Molly: Bye Rob. She gives Rob a thumbs up and a wink. He waves them off and enters his apartment. After unpacking, he showers and then sits down to relax. His phone pings.
Penny: Hi Rob. Just wanted to say again that I had a great time. I'd love to see you soon.
Rob: I'll hold you to that. He hangs up and smiles.
