Tune up #2

ROGER
I'm writing one great song...

MARK
The phone rings

ROGER
Yesss!

MARK
We screen.

ROGER AND MARK'S ANSWERING MACHINE
"Speak" ... ("Beeeep!")

COLLINS
"Chestnuts roasting ---"

ROGER AND MARK
Collins!

COLLINS
I'm downstairs

MARK
Hey!

COLLINS
Roger picked up the phone??

MARK
No, it's me.

COLLINS
Throw down the key.

MARK
A wild night is now pre-ordained

COLLINS
I may be detained.

MARK
What does he mean...?
What do you mean "detained"?

BENNY
Ho ho ho.

MARK AND ROGER
Benny! Shit.

BENNY
Dudes, I'm on my way

MARK AND ROGER
Great! Fuck.

BENNY
I need the rent

MARK
What rent?

BENNY
This past year's rent which I let slide

MARK
Let slide? You said we were 'golden'

ROGER
When you bought the building

MARK
When we were roommates

ROGER
Remember -- you lived here!?

BENNY
How could I forget?
You, me, Collins and Maureen
How is the drama queen?

MARK
She's performing tonight

BENNY
I know.
Still her production manager?

MARK
Two days ago I was bumped

BENNY
You still dating her?

MARK
Last month I was dumped

ROGER
She's in love

BENNY
She's got a new man?

MARK
Well -- no

BENNY
What's his name?

BOTH
Joanne

BENNY
Rent, my amigos, is due
Or I will have to evict you
Be there in a few

MARK
The power blows ...