Scene 1
Times Square
It's a sunny Saturday morning in April. Arvis stands outside a Starbucks holding a tall coffee, nearly finished. He has arrived 15 minutes early. Tamara arrives 15 minutes late. She arrives rushed and breathless, apologizing as she crosses the street toward him. Arvis offers a forgiving smile. He's extremely laid-back and has no problem with his old friend being a bit late. They walk south along Broadway.
Arvis: I really want to see one of those toilets near here.
Tamara: The what?
Arvis: The toilets! I read about them. They're apparently self-cleaning. You pay money to go in them for a certain amount of time and then when you're done you close the door and then it somehow disinfects itself. And supposedly they're here in Times Square.
Tamara: I've never heard about this! Wow! That sounds pretty weird. You come all this way from DC and you want to see the inside of a bathroom? Okay.
Scene 2
Broadway
The two continue walking and reminisce about college days, old friends, and new joys. Arvis talks about his upcoming year-long adventure to Egypt to study Arabic and Islam. They arrive at Herald Square. They sit at a table surrounded by flowers and other locals and visitors.
Arvis shares his excitement for next week's trip to Roanoke for their college reunion and tries to convince Tamara it's worthwhile. She spends too long discussing her many reasons why she doesn't want to go.
Tamara: Are my reasons reasonable or silly?
Arvis: They sound pretty reasonable. But they're silly too. You should go. All your friends will be there.
Tamara: Yeah, but I graduated a year early. Do you really think they'd even remember me?
Arvis: Of course.
Tamara: Plus, I don't drink. How boring would that be?
Arvis: Tamara, you forget that most of our friends are parents now. They're all gonna be going to bed by 10 or 11 anyway.
Tamara: Oh yeah!
Scene 3
Herald Square
Arvis notices something at the north end of Herald Square
Arvis: Hey! Look!
Tamara: What?
Arvis: It's the public toilet I was telling you about!
Scene 4
The toilet
Tamara: Hey! You weren't kidding!
Tamara: Hey! You weren't kidding!
Arvis: Let's check it out before I head back to Jersey.
The two approach the building and notice the button highlighted "occupied." The door opens, sliding to the left with the grace of the doors on Star Trek's USS Enterprise.
Man: Watch out. It's gross in there.
The pair notice the dirty toilet sitting inside. Tamara's face squinches as if she just tasted a brownie accidentally made with salt instead of sugar.
Arvis: It's okay. I lived in Honduras for the Peace Corps, remember? I've dealt with worse.
Arvis deposits his coins into the slot outside and walks in to investigate. The doors close behind him. Tamara takes a close-up shot of the toilet's instructions and takes some time to think about whether she'll ever head down for the annual reunion.
Arvis exits a happy man.
Tamara: Are you pleased?
Arvis: Well, it wasn't that great. Just like any other bathroom.
Tamara: But you got you wanted to seeing the toilet -- and your wish was granted!
Arvis: True.
Tamara: Arvis, I decided that next year I'll go to the reunion. Besides, I had another life there too. I can visit with my old work buddies or church friends at night while everyone from school is partying. And there's plenty more to do down there. I can hike the Appalachians! Or go eat at the Homeplace! And you'll just be getting back from Egypt.
Arvis: Exactly!
The two walk toward the Subway and part ways, grateful for their time with each other and the magical toilet.