MALE/FEMALE, WORKPLACE, GOD'S GRACE

To-day's conversation, synoptic translation:

FEMALE - 'You're late to fixing my problem.'
MALE - 'I never said I'd come in the first place. Please calm down, I'm here.'
FEMALE - 'Wow, you're a typically dumb and unfeeling brute, male. I've got a dozen guests who are without air-conditioning.'
MALE - 'Wow, you're a typically irrational squawker, female. My heart-felt desire here is to help you out, and you can't seem to see that.'
FEMALE - 'It doesn't surprise me that you're a selfish aggressor.'
MALE - 'I'm not sure I'm the only one.'
FEMALE - 'You're late to fixing my problem, and I'm pissed.'
MALE - 'I don't know why I'm the target of this inconsiderate abuse, and I'm pissed.'

[A single illuminated light-bulb enters from stage right, floats between the heads of MALE and FEMALE, and simultaneously:]
FEMALE - 'Hmm, wait - you seem like a halfway decent person, if ignorant, and I should give you the benefit of a doubt.'
MALE - 'Hmm, wait - you're stressed out, and I would be too, and I should give you the benefit of a doubt.'

MALE - 'Wow, wait, I remember that my co-worker did say we'd come around 10 o'clock. I'm so sorry.'
FEMALE - 'Wow, wait, you've been trying to be patient with my abuse. I'm so sorry.'
MALE - 'You were being irrational, but I would be, too, given your situation.'
FEMALE - 'You were being insensitive, but I would be, too, given my venting.'
MALE - 'Here, let me get started on the job at hand.'
FEMALE - 'I'll try to be patient.'


-r