[A dusty desert dive bar in the Antelope Valley. A clean-shaven  South Asian gentleman enters wearing a collared shirt and jeans.  He nods, cocksure, to the bartendress, who recognizes him and smiles. He takes a seat at a dark corner table, gestures to order a glass of merlot, and begins to read his Nook by the light of a neon Coors Light sign.  After some time, a large, tattooed man with an eagle emblazoned on his cap approaches with his bottle of beer and another glass of wine.]

AMERICAN:  Howdy.

[The South Asian gentleman looks up, oblivious to the man's approach.  Assessing the other's demeanor and moderate inebriation, and further recognizing that he is quite literally in a corner, the South Asian switches to his default defensive mode - completely frank, yet artificially composed and forcing a calm eloquence. What will happen, will happen - might as well face it, internally nervous as one may be.]

SOUTH ASIAN:  Sir.

AMERICAN – Well I got you this. Corinne — (he gestures to the bartendress, who flashes an apologetic look)– said  this was what you was drinking.

SOUTH ASIAN:  Well thank you.

AMERICAN:  I’ve got a question for you.

SOUTH ASIAN:  [nods at the second, brimming glass of merlot] You’ve earned the right to ask it.

AMERICAN:  Well, I see you here. You know, walk in all quiet-like, sitting by yourself.  And, you know, let me just say up front, I’m an ultra-conservative, so let me just get that out there.

SOUTH ASIAN:  I see.

AMERICAN:  There’s people around, you know. That I’ve seen and met.  And, you know, I don’t want to offend you or nothing, so, tell me when to leave, I swear, I’ll leave you alone.  But you know, here we have all this terrorism.  And I’m curious. So, some people would say, here’s a guy who fits a certain profile. And they look at you. And I’m wondering, do you notice that?

SOUTH ASIAN:  (swirls his glass thoughtfully, nervously) Sometimes.  I grew up in Idaho.

AMERICAN:  Born there?

SOUTH ASIAN:  Raised. I was born in Seattle.  (pause) This is my country, I have never lived anywhere else.

AMERICAN: (chuckles) No man, you don’t have to justify anything to me. I’m just curious, thats all.

[The bartendress comes over.]

BARTENDRESS:  Norm, please.  He’s got his glass of wine, he’s reading. You shouldn’t bother him.  Your wife is waiting at home, now come on, finish up and get home.

AMERICAN:  She’s OK. Hey, I’m being polite. Sir, am I being polite?  Corinne, I’m having a conversation. Now let me have my conversation.

SOUTH ASIAN:  I’m fine. It’s fine. He has been OK by me so far.

[With a significant look, the bartendress returns to her other duties.]

AMERICAN:  So, I just wanted to know, have you felt that?

SOUTH ASIAN:  Felt what?

AMERICAN:  That everyone’s watching you.  You know, I’ve seen it, I know it happens.

SOUTH ASIAN:  Well, now? Certainly. And like I said, I grew up in Idaho.

AMERICAN:  You think it’s unfair? And man, just tell me to shut up, I’ll leave. I’m not trying to cause trouble.

SOUTH ASIAN:  Well.  I’ve never been the subject of malicious racism. Ever.  But I’ve been there where people just don’t understand.  They are hurtful, but not intentionally so.  They just don’t understand.

AMERICAN:  Like how?

SOUTH ASIAN:  Well… like growing up in a rural state.  No brown people there, right?  (chuckles nervously) Like after 9/11. I think I was “randomly searched” about 10 times in a row.  It became a joke to me, I would already have my shoes off, luggage open when they called me, and I’d step forward like I was expecting it, which I was. Got some red faces, made it worth it.  Might as well find a laugh.

AMERICAN:  Well, you know, you’ve got the look.

[A beat.]

SOUTH ASIAN:  I can’t argue with that.

AMERICAN:   I’m a Marine.

SOUTH ASIAN:  Ah. Presently?

AMERICAN:  (irritated) No.  now I’m a trucker.  But once a Marine, always a Marine,. (pointedly) You understand that?

SOUTH ASIAN: (quickly) Of course, sir. I appreciate your service.

AMERICAN:  (just as pointedly) And have you served?

SOUTH ASIAN:  I… I am not quite cut out to be a soldier, sir.  But I do work for the U.S. Government.  I am an engineer.  I… have sworn an oath, as you have.  To uphold the public interest, and research things of benefit to the nation and the world.

AMERICAN:  Hmm. Well, I appreciate your service too then.  So.  You hunt up there in Idaho?  Good hunting. that’s what my friend says.

SOUTH ASIAN:  I loved the freedom, the relaxed pace, and the presence of the outdoors, sir.  But I’m not really much of a hunter or fisher.  Raised Buddhist; not much of one for weapons. (quickly) I’m not much of one for preventing others from having weapons either, mind you.  I’m just not fond of them myself.

AMERICAN:  Yeah?  (the South Asian gulps, wondering if he spoke too frankly) Well you’re honest.  I respect that.  And you look me in the eye.  You believe that don’t you?  You really do.

SOUTH ASIAN:  Well…. yes.

AMERICAN:  Huh.  Well, I disagree.  I disagree, you hear?

SOUTH ASIAN:  Yes, sir.

AMERICAN:   But you know, that’s what America’s about, you know?  I’m a man.  You’re a man.  We look each other in the eye, and speak our minds.  And we’re here in a bar having a drink together.  That’s honesty, and damn the consequences.  That’s American.

SOUTH ASIAN:  Yes.

[Pause.]

AMERICAN:  I like that.  You know, I grew up… I grew up, back then.  And I remember my parents saying, “hey, there’s a nigger.”  That’s just what they said, you know?  I so I grew up with that.  And so, this black kid, on my block – I grew up in south L.A. – so this black kid, man, he was like my best friend.  And, just from what my parents said, I remember I said to him one day, “hey nigger.”  And he got all upset, and I remember that sinking feeling, like I did something really wrong, but I couldn’t understand.  And his parents, they come out and yell at me.  I didn’t know.  I just knew that you call black people niggers.

[The South Asian carefully swallows some wine, as if to buy time on his response.]

SOUTH ASIAN:  (carefully) You cannot be blamed for what you didn’t know.

AMERICAN:  Exactly, right?  And so, later I read up on all this.  And you know, he is one of my best friends, ok?

SOUTH ASIAN:  Of course.

AMERICAN:  I just said what I knew.

SOUTH ASIAN:  (cautiously) America… we are not perfect, but we certainly speak our minds, eh?

AMERICAN:  (laughs) Haha! Yes we do. Fuck.

SOUTH ASIAN:  We have problems, but we talk about them… we face them.  I’ve traveled, and –

AMERICAN:  Hey, I’ve traveled.  I’m a Marine.  I know.

SOUTH ASIAN:  Of course, sir.  Then you know, that other countries, even some of those that criticize us for having these racial issues, have worse issues themselves.  They just don’t face it.  They hide it.  Or pretend its something else.  Or their country is too homogenous to even have the issue come up.  I studied in France for a few months, I love France –

[The American nearly gags on his beer as he sputters all over the table.]

SOUTH ASIAN:  (quickly) — but, I also noticed they refuse to look at their own racial problems.  They don’t even keep demographics on that.  The problem doesn’t exist.  Americans take it, and face it, and at least try to improve on what was honestly a shaky idea.  ”All men are created equal.”  How long did it take to live up to that?

AMERICAN:  Yeah well.  We still ain’t.

SOUTH ASIAN:  (laughs) Ok!

AMERICAN:  Nobody’s perfect, man.  But yeah.  Strive to live up to that shit.  You think they even knew?  Those founding fathers.  What we face today, you know?

SOUTH ASIAN:  I doubt it.

AMERICAN:  Yeah.  It’s weird man.  Well. One more question, I promise.   And then I’ll leave you alone.  And you don’t have to answer this. So today, when we have a President, that… well, I’ll say it, he’s not really our President, and I’ve got proof. You know, he was actually born in… in Kenya. And so we have this situation.  When shit hits the fan… And I’m not saying it will, but if it does.  Whose side are you on?

[Pause.]

SOUTH ASIAN:  Well, like I said, I’ve sworn an oath, to the office of the President, and whoever sits in that that Office.

AMERICAN:  Yeah, but forget that.  He’s not our President.  So what’s right?  Forget about your job, man, I won’t tell nobody, hell, I don’t even know your name.  Just man to man.  Whose side are you on?

SOUTH ASIAN:  Forget about my job?  That ties into it though.  I am a citizen, this is my country.  And more, here I have sworn an oath.  That is in my personal ethics to uphold.

AMERICAN: (grudgingly) Yeah well.  I know about oaths.  I guess I have to respect that.  (long pause) You won’t answer.  OK.  You don’t have to.  More than enough from me anyways.  (pause) Thanks for putting up with me.

[He puts out his hand, which the South Asian shakes.]

SOUTH ASIAN: Sir.  Thanks for the wine.

AMERICAN: I can’t stand the shit.  This here is a cold beer.  But you’re welcome.  Hey thanks.  I enjoyed this.  I’m just honest that’s all.  Hope I didn’t scare you out of coming back here.  You try the steak?  Or you Hindu or something?

SOUTH ASIAN:  Buddhist.  And I love the steak here.

AMERICAN: Not a good Buddhist, are you?

SOUTH ASIAN:  (laughs) Fair point, sir.

AMERICAN:  Ok.  Well it’s good steak.

SOUTH ASIAN:  I know.

BARTENDRESS: (awkwardly piping up from the bar, while pretending she wasn’t listening to every word) He’s told me before it’s the best in the valley.

[The American turns slowly, as she laughs awkwardly.]

AMERICAN:  Am I closed out, honey?

BARTENDRESS: It’s on your tab, Norm.  And there’s a taxi outside.  Your wife’s waiting.

AMERICAN:  Yeah.  (glances back at the South Asian) Hey, I’ll see you later.  Thanks.

[The American exits.  The South Asian watches him go, then gestures for his check.  The bartendress walks over.]

BARTENDRESS:  I’m sorry. You ok?  He asked. I was watching the whole time, I promise.

SOUTH ASIAN:  No worries.  Not the first time.  Could I get the check?

BARTENDRESS:  I think you’re just fine.

SOUTH ASIAN:  He brought over one of those right?  Did he get both?

BARTENDRESS: I think you’re just fine.

[A beat.]

SOUTH ASIAN:  Thank you.  (he responds to her smile) Good night.

BARTENDRESS:  Good night.  And see you next time?

SOUTH ASIAN: Sure.

[The South Asian exits into the desert night.]

scene.