You Haven’t Changed One Bit

Ouzo shows up at his ex-girlfriend Ellenโ€™s art gallery and the two bring back old memories in this scene from play Scratching the Surface.

Featured Scene – Scratching The Surface


ELLEN: You havenโ€™t changed one bit.

OUZO: Youโ€™ve noticed?

ELLEN: Whyโ€™d you come here?

OUZO: I wanted to revisit the past and the only way I can do that is with you.

ELLEN: And now that youโ€™ve visited?

OUZO: I should be getting on the next train back to Long Island.

ELLEN: So why donโ€™t you?

OUZO nods as if to a Queen.

Why donโ€™t I appear in any of your short stories?

OUZO: You still reading my words?

ELLEN: Why?

OUZO: What kind of stupid ass question is that Ellen?

ELLEN: You write about everything that affects youโ€ฆdid I never affect you?

OUZO: What do you think?

ELLEN: I think life has always been a game to you, that you live life for material to write about but you never truly live, truly feel life for yourself.

OUZO: Thatโ€™s my cue.

OUZO begins putting on his sweater and
socks/shoes.

ELLEN: Canโ€™t have a real conversation.

OUZO: I came here to see you, alright, say hi, why does it have to evolve into some sort of drama? Why canโ€™t things be what they are?

ELLEN: Because you canโ€™t keep shooting bullet holes through life.

OUZO: Says you.

ELLEN: Canโ€™t you just talk to me?

OUZO: I didnโ€™t come here to talk to you.

ELLEN: Then I donโ€™t want to ever see your face ever again.

OUZO: Until the next time.

ELLEN: There wonโ€™t be a next time.

OUZO: Thereโ€™s always a next time because without it life is boring and dull. Canโ€™t you learn to live in the shโ€™t and not try to make sense out of the mess? Whatโ€™s wrong with not having all the answers?

ELLEN: You never tell me how you truly feel!

OUZO: Why is that so Goddamn important?!

ELLEN: Because Iโ€™m sick! Iโ€™m sick Ouzo. I have to go in for surgery and there are a few things Iโ€™d like to know in case itโ€™s my turn to check out.

OUZO: โ€ฆWhat do you want to know Ellen?

ELLEN: Do you love me?

OUZO: Iโ€™ve loved you since the moment I first looked at you. Itโ€™s not a love that has ever left me, but only grown stronger over time and thereโ€™s nothing I can do about it but lay in the thick of it.

ELLEN: You donโ€™t act like you love me.

OUZO: I know I donโ€™t.

ELLEN: Is it so hard for you?

OUZO: It is.

ELLEN: I seeโ€ฆwell, Iโ€™ve always loved you as much as I hate you. Sometimes I donโ€™t know which way to go. There are days I think of you and Iโ€™ll laugh out loud to myself and yet there are other times when I want to punch my fist into your face as if you were standing in front of me.

OUZO: Which do you feel now?

ELLEN: Iโ€™m not sure. Itโ€™s the uncertain days that are when Iโ€™m worse off.

OUZO: Wanna punch me in the face?

ELLEN: No, but I will if you keep probing me.

OUZO: Iโ€™m sorry.

ELLEN: Donโ€™t be.

OUZO: You donโ€™t even know what Iโ€™m apologizing for, do you?

ELLEN: What are you apologizing for?

OUZO: โ€ฆI donโ€™t want you to be sickโ€ฆ

ELLEN: โ€ฆOhโ€ฆ

THEY embrace.

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Scene Summary

In the one act eplay Scratching The Surface, Ouzo shows up at his ex-girlfriend Ellenโ€™s art gallery, only to find out she lives in the loft above it.  The play takes place the following morning.

  • Genre: Drama
  • Length: ~5 minute scene
  • Characters: 1 woman, 1 man
  • Themes: love, companion, purpose
  • Best For: 1 man, 1 woman drama scenes

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Related Scenes

Scene Source: Scratching The Surface

Scratching The Surface is a drama play by Joseph Arnone, 2026.

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Joseph Arnone

Joseph Arnone is a writer, actor, director and founder of Monologue Blogger. You are welcome to learn more about Joseph [here] and connect with him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.