(SCENE: \u00a0at the offices of “Minnesotans United for All Social Progressive Causes”, a modest little 501c4 non-proft in the Griggs Building in Saint Paul, located on a hallway close by “Take Action Minnesota”, “ProtectMN” and a who’s who of other Minnesota social activism non-profits supported by liberals with deep pockets. \u00a0\u00a0Moonbeam BIRKENSTOCK and Avery LIBRELLE are sitting at Ikea desks across the aisle from each other. \u00a0BIRKENSTOCK looks depressed).<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0What’s the matter, Moonbeam?<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0Oh, the usual. \u00a0Just worried about job security.<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0Why?<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0Well, work in the non-profit field depends on having another cause that progressives with deep pockets are willing to pour big money into.<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0Right.<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0And in a matter of two years, we not only stopped the Marriage Amendment, but passed Gay Marriage.<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0Yay!<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0Right, yay. \u00a0But that’s a cause that should have taken years. \u00a0Like abortion – that’s been a steady gig for progressive activists for a couple of generations now.<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0True.<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0But with the issue now a non-issue, that’s that many fewer jobs for people like us.<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0Well, you could always sign on with Heather, down the hall at “ProtectMN”. \u00a0Lotsa money going into that group soon.<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0I thought about that. \u00a0But I’d have to deal with all those gun people.<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0Oh, yeah. \u00a0I hear you. \u00a0They never just shut up and realize that they’re wrong.<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0Well, there’s that. \u00a0But it also depends on Heather not screwing the whole thing up.<\/p>\n
(Both look at each other and break into laughter)<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0OK, point taken.<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0It’s just that gay marriage was a major income generator for people like us. \u00a0I’m just afraid that some of us – maybe me, maybe some\u00a0other\u00a0Macalester poli-sci grad with no marketable job skills – might have to go out on…on…<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0Say it…<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0…on…<\/p>\n
LIBRELLE: \u00a0You’re among friends.<\/p>\n
BIRKENSTOCK: The\u00a0private sector. \u00a0<\/em>(Chokes back a sob)<\/p>\n LIBRELLE: Hug it out.<\/p>\n (The two trade hug. BIRKENSTOCK sobs softly)<\/p>\n (Door opens and Gretel STROMBERG, Executive Director of MUFASPC, walks into the room carrying a thick file of paper).<\/p>\n STROMBERG: \u00a0Hey, everyone.<\/p>\n BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0(un-hugging, sniffling a little) \u00a0Hi, Gretel<\/p>\n LIBRELLE: \u00a0 Hi<\/p>\n STROMBERG: \u00a0 Why the long face?<\/p>\n BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0 It’s the way I was born… \u00a0\u00a0(Resumes sobbing)<\/p>\n LIBRELLE: \u00a0I think it’s a figure of speech, Moonbeam. \u00a0(To STROMBERG) We were just talking about how there might be fewer jobs in advocacy now that gay marriage is a done deal.<\/p>\n STROMBERG: \u00a0What? Oh, you two sillies. \u00a0Not a chance.<\/p>\n BIRKENSTOCK: \u00a0(stops sobbing) Huh?<\/p>\n LIBRELLE: \u00a0What’s up?<\/p>\n