The room is uncomfortably silent. BRIAN BURKE sits behind an enormous oak desk. Across from him sit MATHIEU SCHNEIDER and TODD BERTUZZI.
BURKE: Look, guys...I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it.
TODD shuffles uncomfortably.
BURKE: Jeez, this is harder than I thought. [coughs] As you know, Scott came back a few weeks ago...
MATHIEU turns his head away. Are those tears?
BURKE: And, well, this week Teemu and I are...getting back together, too.
TODD slams his hands on the desk.
BERTUZZI: What? How can you do this to us?
BURKE: Look, I didn't plan this. When I signed you two, I really thought it was over.
BERTUZZI: So what? It's not over?
BURKE: [quietly] No. We had some good times, honestly, and I hadn't thought about Scott or Teemu in months.
MATHIEU dabs his eye.
BURKE: But then they started calling and we would chat -- nothing serious at first, I wouldn't do that to you -- but then, well...you know. We do have some history together. You can't just turn that off.
BERTUZZI: So we're just suppose to wait around until they decide they want to come back to you?
BURKE: No, it's not like that. [to SCHNEIDER] Mathieu. C'mon...
SCHNEIDER: I can't even look at you right now.
BERTUZZI: Mat, I think we should go.
BURKE: No! Hey...I still want you guys in my life. You mean--
BERTUZZI: --Brian. Just stop. Please. [to SCHNEIDER] Come on, Mat...
TODD and MATHIEU walk towards the door. Before the exit, MATHIEU half-turns, his face red and raw.
SCHNEIDER: They're just going to leave again, Brian. Just you wait. And when they do...
He can't finish. BERTUZZI puts his arm gently around SCHNEIDER'S back and leads him out the door. He takes a moment to shoot one last look at BURKE - a look filled with pain, anger, and regret.
BERTUZZI: [whispering] You bastard...
END SCENE.
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