Fracturing
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Based on the following exercise:
Write a scene or story where two people talk about another person. Do they share the same opinion of the person? What is it they say that tells about them and the person they are talking about? Do their opinions line up? Is the conversation awkward, collaborative or confrontational?
Fracturing
"Why do you always have to have a problem?" Amy said, exasperated.
Sarah leaned back and looked absentmindedly over the bar before responding. "All I'm saying is that its weird. They're together for seven years and then, all of a sudden, she accuses him of a heinous act which does not sound like something he would ever do, and its over and she's moved on."
"So you think she made it all up?"
"I'm not saying that. But doesn't it feel off? I just can't picture him ever doing something like that."
"Men are all the same, all of them are pigs, I --" Amy was cut off as the waiter brought their drinks. "Oh that's tasty," Amy said in an exaggerated voice. "How's yours?"
Sarah grimaced slightly as she sipped her drink. "Quite strong."
"You saying that? Here, let me call the waiter back, we'll get you a new one." Amy put her hand up and started to wave down the waiter.
"No, no, its fine. I like it." Sarah turned her head slightly and looked over the bar again.
Amy rolled her eyes. "I don't even get why you're defending him. You've never liked him. You said she was out of his league and that he was a loser. Now you like him? Now you're upset they broke up?"
"That was a long time ago when I said that, and it was mean. He's nice." Sarah thought for a moment. "I think its good they broke up."
"So then what the fuck is your problem?"
"My problem is that we're supposed to just accept what happened and cut out this person we've known for years."
"So you think she made it all up?"
"No, I think something probably happened, but you know how she is. She's prone to hyperbole, and drinking and drugs were involved. I'm saying its complicated, and we shouldn't just pretend like its simple."
"Everything is complicated with you. Have you ever thought that maybe this is why you're always depressed and angry? It seems pretty simple to me: drop the loser, hang with the bestie."
"Doesn't it feel wrong? All of it feels wrong. And now she's with Mikey, pretending like nothing ever happened."
"Well what do you want her to do? Never date again?"
Sarah shook her head, annoyed. "She took all of, what, three weeks to move on? We're just going to pretend that's normal after everything that happened?"
"You were the one encouraging her to cheat with Mikey! But now its not normal."
Sarah closed her eyes, and breathed in. "That was a long time ago."
"Whatever, in any case I think she and Mikey are much better together."
"Mikey is a self-centered douche-bag with the depth of a kiddie pool. So yeah, I agree."
Amy chuckled. "I'm glad some things never change."
"I just want you to acknowledge the whole thing is weird."
Amy sat back in her chair and thought about it. "I guess it is weird. I just can't bring myself to care that its weird though. What does it matter?"