My first crack at play writing. I like theater (acting, directing) so I thought I'd try. It's just a quick little story that I haven't gotten too far into as far as re-editing and making sure that things make sense.
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Setting: Shelves full of comics line the walls of the square, one-room shop. A beanbag chair lies beside the counter (downstage left), opposite the entrance (stage right). Behind the counter is a small chair and the door to the back room (upstage left). A security camera is mounted on the wall in the corner behind the counter (upstage left).

At Rise: James sits alone in the shop behind the counter, half-listening to Matilda (offstage) as he reads the comic in his lap. Stewart stands at the door, waiting impatiently.

MATILDA (offstage)
Now, I know I’ve never left you alone before but you’ve been a good employee for three months now and I think you can handle it, Jimmy.

JAMES
James.

(MATILDA enters through the door STAGE LEFT)

MATILDA
What was that?

JAMES
My name isn’t Jimmy. It’s James.

MATILDA
Whatever. Now remember, Jimmy, the new girl starts tonday. I’m going to need you to show her the ropes, got it?

STEWART
Matilda, darling, we’re going to be late for our reservations.

MATILDA
Hold your horses, Stewart, I’m coming. Go bring the car around and I’ll meet you outside.
(STEWART exits through the door STAGE RIGHT)
Remember, kiddo, even when I’m not here, I’m watching.
(She points to the camera on the wall)
Have fun, Jimmy. We’ll be back in a few hours.
(Exits through the door STAGE RIGHT)

(JAMES goes back to his comic until EMILY enters through the door STAGE RIGHT)

EMILY
Hi.

JAMES
Oh, hey there. You the new girl?

EMILY
I guess so, but my friends call me Emily.

(JAMES stands up, goes to Emily and shakes her hands.)

JAMES
Right, sorry. I’m James. Welcome to Mega Comics, or as I like to call it: my own personal hell.
(EMILY laughs)
Let me show you around.
(He points to each part of the room as he speaks)
Here we’ve got some comics, the counter, the cash register, some more comics, a beanbag chair, the door to the back room and, hey look, more comics. Any questions?

EMILY
What’s in the back room?

JAMES
A couch, a refrigerator and the desk where Matilda--our boss--does the busywork that keeps this place running.

EMILY
Okay… Well, what do we do now? The place is empty.

JAMES
Not for long. Here comes your first sale. Consider this your initiation.

EMILY
What? But I-

(JAMES takes a seat behind the counter as CHARLIE enters through the door STAGE RIGHT)

CHARLIE
Hey Ja- Who’s this?

JAMES
New girl. I’m not here. Talk to her.

EMILY
Hi. Can I help you?

CHARLIE
Um… Yeah. I need the new issue of Superman that should have come in today.
(EMILY looks at JAMES. He points at the comic on the shelf. She gets the comic and hands it to CHARLIE.)

EMILY
This what you’re looking for?
(CHARLIE nods)
Alright. Just let me ring this up for you.

JAMES (laughing a little)
No need, Emily. Charlie here is our best customer. He probably has exact change in his pocket.
(CHARLIE and takes a few bills and coins out of his pocket.)
Never fails to disappoint.

(CHARLIE and EMILY exchange property and EMILY walks away to the counter to put the money in the register.)

CHARLIE
James, buddy. Can I talk to you for a second?

JAMES
(Goes to CHARLIE)
What’s up?

CHARLIE (Whispering)
Why is there a girl in the comic book store? You know I don’t do well around girls! Next thing you know, they’ll be allowed in men’s restrooms too!

JAMES
Relax, Charlie. Girls are just like us, only missing some stuff below the waist and with some extra above the waist. You’ll learn to live with it eventually. Now get out of here.

(CHARLIE exits through the door STAGE RIGHT)

EMILY
He seems… nice.

JAMES
Charlie? Guy hasn’t been anywhere other than his parents’ basement, the grocery store and here in the past year. He’s a little messed up.

EMILY
What about you?

JAMES
What about me?

EMILY
Where do you go other than home and work?

JAMES
Hey, at least I have an excuse. I work double shifts here to pay rent at a crappy apartment where I spend most of my time sleeping.

EMILY
No girlfriend?

JAMES
Nope. You?

EMILY
Nope. Up until now I’ve spent all my time job hunting. Haven’t really gotten settled in.

JAMES
Huh, I would think that a girl like you was at a big party every night.

EMILY
What’s that supposed to mean?

JAMES
It’s a compliment. You’re pretty.

EMILY
Oh… Thanks. But no, I really don’t get out that much.

JAMES
Life sucks.

EMILY
What?

JAMES
Dumb job, no time, one friend who spends most of his time staring at drawings of men in tights.

EMILY
Well don’t look at it like that. Try… Decent job, enough time to get some sleep every now and then and a good friend who you get to meet every day at work.

JAMES
Bullshit.

EMILY
Fine. Let’s talk about something else. What kind of music do you like?

JAMES
Are we really going to have this conversation?

EMILY
Got a better idea?

(Short pause)

JAMES
Journey.

EMILY (Quickly)
Bon Jovi.

JAMES (Quickly)
AC/DC.

EMILY (Quickly)
Queen.

(Another short pause)

JAMES
Cool.

EMILY.
Yeah.

JAMES
You like art?

EMILY
I love Van Gogh. His paintings are beautiful.

JAMES (Surprised)
Yeah… They are. Got a favorite?


EMILY
The Potato Eaters. It was considered his first great painting. We could go to a gallery some time if you have time.

JAMES
If I have time. Fat chance. Like I said before, if I’m not here, I’m probably asleep.

EMILY
You could stand to lose some sleep. Come on, it’ll be fun. What better way to get to know your co-workers than to deprive them of sleep while looking at art?

(They both laugh)

JAMES
Uh… Fine. Store closes on Sunday. Matilda’s a pretty devout Christian. We could do it then.

EMILY
Cool. I’ll look for an open exhibit later.

JAMES
Cool.

EMILY
Cool.

BOTH
Cool.

(Each of them grab a comic book. JAMES goes behind the counter and sits down. EMILY lies down on the beanbag chair. Short pause. JAMES sets down the comic, jumps over the counter and pulls EMILY into his arms, kissing her. They look at each other. She kisses him back. Curtain.)