[A dialogue between Brigid and her boss, Hollis. Hollis has called Brigid into his office and gestured to close the door.]
Brigid: Hey, sorry. You know how hard it is getting him outta here when he's got a problem.
Hollis: I do, I do. Go ahead and pop a squat for a second, dear.
Brigid: So what's going on?
Hollis: Brigid, your fingers are always so ashy.
[Brigid wipes her hands on the darkest part of her faded slacks.]
Brigid: Oh, yeah, that's a bad habit that's getting worse. I was just in the bathroom, too. So I guess I should probably start washing my hands more often.
Hollis: No, hon, it's not about the ashes -- you're smoking **** in the office. More and more it seems like.
Brigid: Oh I mean, I've been smoking for a while.
Hollis: Not in the office.
Brigid: Well, now I do.
Hollis: You don't see anything wrong with that?
Brigid: I mean, you never really said anything about it when I brought it in the first time, so I just kinda kept on going. And that, that was like, at least two weeks ago, I think.
Hollis: I don't think it's been as long as you're thinking.
Brigid: I see what you're trying to do here. However long doesn't matter -- I know for a fact you've seen me before and didn't say anything.
Hollis: I'm saying something now.
Brigid: Yes you are.
Brigid: Oh.
Hollis: Look, hon. Could you just go use the balcony round back?
Brigid: Well sure, but I kinda have to be at the desk, you know? That's why I never leave on my breaks, either.
Hollis: Brigid, it looks bad.
Brigid: What, smoking ****?
Hollis: Yes, it looks real bad. It reflects the professionalism of the Human Services Office. Or the lackthereof.
Brigid: How?
Hollis: I believe it's popular opinion that being under the influence of any substance impairs your ability to dutifully perform your work, and perform work that sets the best possible standard.
Brigid: Actually, and I kid you not, it really, really helps me perform my work. See, without it, I believe, I would not be able to live up to your standards.
Hollis: You're acting like--
Brigid: Hollis, please, for the love of god. I'm such an awesome employee, right? Always upright. Always for the good of the people. Last night! Last night I went to Davis's place for some coffee.
Hollis: I thought you were going to stop doing that.
Brigid: You should have seen it. Oh god, the mess that went down. Unruly mercenary helping hands serving fists up to unappreciative patrons, *** workers slinging emselves over tables and the bar, sweat and all that other nasty body water mixing up next to all the food and alcohol.
Hollis: What--
Brigid: Hollis, I went out back for a cigarette and there were people milling around in the alley ******* each other. People are ******* ******* behind Davis's place, and you're worried about just, a little bit of the good stuff defacing the image our city.
Hollis: Jesus Christ, okay, alright. You're right, that's disgusting.
Brigid: Told ya.
Hollis: When you gotta smoke, just ask Helen to watch the front for you.
Brigid: What if I just put the pipe away when someone's at the counter?
Hollis: I'd really prefer outside.
Brigid: Okay, how about, if I go to the window. So that way there's no smoke inside?
Hollis: You're just about ******* impossible, little girl. Forget I said anything, forget the whole ****** thing. I ask you for one favor, and you can't even do that.
Brigid: I do all your other favors.
[Brigid gets up and walks to the door.]
Hollis: You're still giving me that discount on Cheese, right?
Brigid: Absolutely. I'm gonna take a break and go out back for a cigarette.
