Scene 2

About a week later. The apartment is dark with the exception of candles lit in various places. The furniture is spread out. Joann comes in takes a piece of chalk and draws a large circle on the floor. She stares at it. Exits. When she returns she is carrying a small table an a grocery bag. Out of the bag she pulls a black cloth and places it on the table. She straightens it up and then pulls out a few gems a black candles and  incense. She searches the bag and finally pulls out matches. She lights the candles and the incense. Fearfully she puts out the candle. Looks around. Pulls her hair into a tail. Waits. Snaps her fingers. Exits. After a minute she returns with a  large pot. Carefully she puts it in the center of the table. Out of the pot she pulls a cup of water and a salt shaker. She shrugs. After placing them on the table near the gems she looks around whistling a tune nervously. She steps out of the circle. Pulling a piece of paper out of her pocket she steadies herself.

Joann:
"First one must cast a formal circle." I think I can handle that.

Picks the bell up off the floor. Walks back into the circle and stands before the altar.

Joann:
In the names of the Goddess and the uh Horned God, I cast this my working circle.

Rings the bell.

Joann:
Lady Hecate, dark moon mother, please join us this dark night as we seek to release the pain and suffering of the difficult period. Please help us to let all this go that we may be refreshed and renewed. Okay now "charge the cup of water with fresh, clean energy. Imagine a bolt of white light entering the clear water." I'm a hostess at a  boring restaurant, do I even have imagination left at this point? This water is now charged may it renew our hearts with purity and joy. Okay number five: "Light the black candle." There. Come on. Okay there. "As it burns, write your troubles, cares, concerns, fears, peeves, angers, and anything else on the parchment paper. Don't edit, just let it all flow out. Don't try to write pretty. Write as angrily as you need to." Well that explains the parchment paper hope college rule is okay. It really shouldn't take too long come up with something. All I have are troubles concerns and fears. I will never be able to open my own bar. Working over forty hours a week. (The phone begin to ring) I can't take my mothers constant sniping. Adam never notices me…unless he wants something. I'm afraid that'll never change and that none of this will help. I'm sick of needing a man to feel good about myself. The injustice that permeates the world. Being a woman….no check that for having felt like it was okay to say that! NOT HAVING A MAN! Yeah put that in big letters. Number one not being attractive enough to find a man No that's number two. Number one not having one!

Joann rips the phone cord out. She drops the cord softly. Completely and utterly drained she sits down. She appears to be on the verge of tears.

Joann:
Wow. Number six "When you feel that all the energy has been poured into the paper and you can't think of anything else to write down, light the paper from the candle and drop it in the cauldron. As the paper burns, feel all the negativity float away. All is gone. Know that you are recharged and refreshed. Make sure that everything in the cauldron burns away. Use your lighter to char any remaining scraps of paper." Burn. Probably what I'm going to be doing when I die. Mom would be so proud of this.  "Pick up the cup of water. Drip a couple drops onto the ashes. Offer each other a drink--" This isn't something for lonely losers. Maybe this wasn't the right spell to pick. O for two Charlie. I've come this far why not…May you be blessed with renewal….okay skip step eight….We are filled with renewed life. I mean I'm filled with--no I like we…like my soon to be new found man…Nice. On to step number nine? "Release Hecate from your circle" I wish there was someone else here to do some of all this talking. Here we go Lady Hecate, dark moon mother, we thank you for joining us this dark night and assisting us as we released all that was negative in us. Thank you for carrying it away that it will not return to us. We are honored by your presence with us tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. Farewell and blessed be. Whew. No offense to you Lady Hecate or to you the uh Horned God but I'm pretty happy this is over. All that is left is "release the circle." And then twelve "pour the ashes outside on the earth or into a moving body of water such as a river or ocean." Release the circle? Nothing on here about that. Well uhm circle? Your released. You hear me? You've been great but your no longer needed. Thank you? I'll clean you up later.

She blows out the candles and incense.  An air of comfort returns to the apartment. As she looks for her purse she smiles. When she finds it she picks it  up and then the pot. As she opens the door Charlie strides in.

Charlie:
Evening sunshine.

Joann:
Charlie? What are you doing here?

Charlie:
Evening sunshine.

Joann:
Hi Charlie. I'm a bit busy--


Charlie:
So I see. Is that a pot on your belly or you just happy to see me?

Joann:
I'm always happy to see you Charlie. You know that. I'm just a little bit busy. I have something I need to take care of…

Charlie:
Oh is that the you know witch stuff? What you have to get rid of it? Jo Jo you vamp you kill someone?


Joann:
No.

Charlie:
Not the stuff or no you didn't kill someone?
Joann:
Yes.

Charlie:
What?

Joann:
It's the stuff okay? Burnt up paper and what not. It says to take it out and dump it

Charlie:
Where?

Joann:
Into the earth--

Charlie:
That can be anywhere--

Joann:
Or something about running water. Like a river or an ocean.

Charlie:
Oh. Can I come?

Joann:
Charlie…I kind of feel drained….I was just take care of this and then crawl into bed.

Charlie:
But it's Tuesday! We hang every Tuesday and have for almost 2 years! How can you say no? A tradition.

Joann:
Look I'm sorry. We'll make it up. I promise.

Charlie:
A veritable institution!

Joann:
I know but I just went through a very spiritual and solitary thing. Can you blame me for wanting to be alone?

Charlie:
Yeah actually I can. And I do. That's your problem Jo Jo you think you're alone but your not. You'll never be alone. Except inside your head.

Joann:
Fine that's my problem add it to the list but you still can't come.

Charlie:
I'll make a scene.

Joann:
Then why would I want you to come with?

Charlie:
No. Here. Now. It'll be scandalous. You know I will. I'll proclaim loudly for all your old neighbors to hear that you their cute little friendly neighbor is in fact practicing the DARK MAGICS--THE DEVIL'S WORK!

Joann:
Shhhhhh. Charlie. I'll kill you.

Charlie:
HELP! SHE'LL KILL ME! HELP! Oh and then there is the ashes of the person you sacrificed that you still need to dump….I don't think everyone to know what you did.

They both laugh.

Joann:
Knock it off. You're not coming.

Charlie:
Oh come on Jo Jo. Please. I got another rejection notice today.

Joann:
Which one?

Charlie:
The place in NYC. I sent them--

Joann:
Blinded. They're idiots plain and simple.

Charlie:
Yeah maybe…

Joann:
Okay come on. I'll buy this time.

Charlie:
Yay! Where we going?

Joann:
Well I was thinking the bridge on west third. Then head over to melt?

Charlie:
Ooo a bridge. An adventure I love it. How romantic.

Joann:
Dork. Thank you.

She kisses him on the cheek. He smiles and stares at her.

Joann:
You coming? Well close the door if you are.

He watches her leave. Smiling he exits closing the door behind him.