This is something that has been rattling around in my head a long time. Why all these scenes about proposals in this month's plays---I have no idea why.
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Untitled College Play
Setting text: A Union College dorm room in Barbourville,
Ky, 1946. There is a dressing table with a mirror and a padded stool. Two single
beds. It is neat and tidy.
MARIE is brushing her hair when GEORGINA ENTERS.
GEORGINA
You’re going to go bald if you just sit there brushing your
hair!
MARIE
I’m thinking.
GEORGINA
Marie, you’ve got to tell him something so he can move on.
MARIE
Move on? My, we are sure of what I’m going to say.
GEORGINA
Well, isn’t it the what sixth time he’s proposed in a month?
MARIE
Something like that.
GEORGINA
Marie! You like it.
MARIE
Of course I do.
GEORGINA
Then why do you keep turning him down?
MARIE
I’m not. I’m postponing letting him know.
GEORGINA
Because?
MARIE
He improves a little bit each time. Soon, it will be perfect!
GEORGINA
Marie!
MARIE
Georgina!
GEORGINA
You’re evil.
MARIE
No, not.
GEORGINA
So, do you want to marry him? I thought you said he was an
oddball that you couldn’t be yoked to.
MARIE
I’ve refined my thoughts about him. He’s an acquired taste.
GEORGINA
Is that what you call it?
MARIE
A little rough around the edges, but I can knock those off
with a little shaping.
GEORGINA
Oh, brother, not you, too.
MARIE
What are you saying?
GEORGINA
Every woman on this campus is so ready to jump into marriage, but don’t see who it is that is proposing.
MARIE
I see him.
GEORGINA
You see the proposal as you want it to be, perfect, is what
you just said, nothing about him except for reshaping him. Who are you? Dr.
Frankenstein? And he’s a project to bring to life, you want him to be? You know
how that turned out.
MARIE
I know him. We’ve spent a lot of time together this past
month.
GEORGINA
And that’s just it. How long have you been stepping out?
MARIE
If you count when we met, it will be about two months.
GEORGINA
That first month, you hardly talked to him, and he spent the
month asking if you would go out with him.
MARIE
I had to think.
GEORGINA
If you have to think this much about it, he isn’t for you.
MARIE
Says who?
GEORGINA
Says me! You are smarter than this.
MARIE
You’re saying I’m not smart if I say yes?
GEORGINA
Yes!
MAIRE
You are jealous.
GEORGINA
Of what? Living a boring life tethered to a drip?
MARIE
He’s not a drip! I find him more and more fascinating.
GEORGINA
Do you hear yourself? You are convincing yourself into this
and this isn’t a walk in the park for one night. This is for life! This is your
life!
MARIE
I know!
GEORGINA
You haven’t said yes yet. Why?
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