ROBERT, ACE, DEVIN, FELIX, HARRY, and LORENZO are all sitting on the bench of the Indianapolis Primitives’ bullpen. MANNY is off to the side, behind a table and next to a small grill.
MANNY
You still haven’t told me why I’m on food duty today, Harry. It’s your job, after all.
HARRY
I decided not to do it today. You’re my backup, remember?
MANNY
Oh I remember. Do I have no control over this team?
ACE
Nope.
MANNY
Good to hear.
LORENZO
I think you have control over this team.
ROBERT
You think a lot of things.
LORENZO
True. Happy Patty Robberton Day, everyone!
FELIX
Huh?
LORENZO
You didn’t get the note? It’s Patty Robberton Day!
DEVIN
No, I didn’t get that note, but I’m not in the group chat.
ROBERT
What group chat?
MANNY
Yeah about that: I lied. There’s no group chat.
FELIX
Let’s get back on topic everyone. What’s Patty Robberton Day and should I even listen to a word Lorenzo says?
ROBERT
Patty Robberton Day is made up. The answer to the second part of that question is debatable.
HARRY
All in favor of listening to what Lorenzo says?
ROBERT
Let’s not do that.
LORENZO
Yeah, we can just assume everyone listens to what I say.
FELIX
Anyways, I can’t even tell if there’s a game today.
MANNY
What makes you say that?
FELIX
So many people took a knee and left.
LORENZO
It’s in honor of Patty Robberton. First black player in the league.
ROBERT
I don’t think his name’s Patty Robberton.
HARRY
It’s Jackie Robinson. Seriously guys?
LORENZO
I was close.
HARRY
No you weren’t. But props to you for remembering baseball is celebrating him today.
MANNY
Not just baseball. He’s a big deal.
ROBERT
I just don’t get why they’re protesting him. Shouldn’t they like him?
HARRY
Nobody is protesting Jackie Robinson.
ROBERT
Oh. I must have it all wrong.
HARRY
You do.
LORENZO
Who says we do a discount tonight?
MANNY
A discount tonight?
LORENZO
Yeah.
MANNY
I don’t get it.
LORENZO
Yeah, I guess it’s a bad idea. What if I charge more money instead?
ACE
You talking about Lorenzo’s Kitchen?
LORENZO
Of course I am!
ACE
I don’t think raising your prices is a great idea.
HARRY
He has no financial background.
LORENZO
That’s right, and I’m proud of it! Have an interview tonight too, I guess I’m a celebrity chef.
HARRY
That is not why you’re being interviewed at all. And it’s more like an interrogation.
LORENZO
Huh?
ROBERT
Like the one we all sat through early on Christmas morning about you stealing that cotton candy machine.
LORENZO
I only stole it once!
HARRY
This is different. It’s about the lawsuit, remember?
LORENZO
Whatever. I’m sure it’ll go great. And I know for a fact it’s not an actual interrogation.
DEVIN
So about the game—
ACE
Who cares about the game, did you see that guy on TV the other night?
MANNY
What guy?
ACE
The one who took a fit at one of our games a few weeks ago when the Sexiest Gentleman Alive was singing the National Anthem. Had half a cheeseburger in his hand and left. Remember?
HARRY
Oh him! Yeah, he’s a funny guy alright.
DEVIN
Funny? Is it funny that he won’t acknowledge the Sexiest Gentleman Alive?
HARRY
Hey, everyone has their quirks. I like him. Plus, I have a lot more money to spend on hamburgers and they’re cheaper to buy.
DEVIN rolls his eyes.
ACE
Anyways, he broke a record. People thought he could only eat two or three, but he ate seven!
DEVIN
Disgusting.
LORENZO
We’re losing focus! It’s Patty Robber—I mean, Jackie Robberson Day, let’s celebrate!
MANNY
How?
LORENZO
For one, we can remember the great things he’s done for the game of baseball.
MANNY
He really has. Although, I’m not convinced you know what they are.
LORENZO
I don’t, but I can acknowledge a good baseball player when I hear of them.
HARRY
Nobody said he was good at playing baseball. Although, he was.
ROBERT
Should we be doing something for Jackie Robinson Day?
FELIX
For one, we can figure out if our team is playing or not.
MANNY
Doesn’t seem like they are. It’s been a while now and they still haven’t come back out.
LORENZO
Well in that case, I’m gonna leave and see if Lorenzo’s Kitchen is open yet.
ACE
Safe to say we can all leave?
MANNY stares blankly at the ground.
ACE
Manny?
MANNY
That’s not up to me to decide. As Robert.
ACE
You’re the coach.
MANNY
He’s the captain.
FELIX
We’ve been through this before, and again, not a real position.
ROBERT
I say we leave.
FELIX quickly leaves, followed by everyone else.
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Lorenzo does his interview on Season 2 Episode 9 of Bar Exam. Click here to read!