Practice Makes Perfect

by Joanne Miller

Summary

A young man tries to ask his friend’s sister to marry him.  She doesn’t even realize that he likes her but thinks he is just her brother’s friend.  He never is able to get up enough nerve to give her the ring he has for her.

Characters

Seth
Jill

Script

(Scene opens with Seth, all dressed up, practicing how he is going to propose to Jill.)

Jill:  (Calls from other room) I’ll be there in a minute, Seth.

Seth:  (To Jill) OK.  Take your time.  (To himself) She’ll walk in the room and I’ll turn slowly towards her with a welcoming smile on my face.  I’ll say, “Jill, you look so lovely tonight.  I love the way the lights play on your silky hair.  And is that dress new?  No?  Well, it looks beautiful on you, or maybe it’s just because you are so lovely that the dress looks wonderful.  What would you like to do tonight, Sweetheart?  Go out to dinner?  How about if we go to Chez Pierre’s.  Oh, I know how expensive it is but this is a very special night.  What’s so special about it?  Why the fact that I’m with you, Darling.  You like my suit?  Yes, it’s new.  I bought it for our date tonight.  I’ve been looking forward to this all week.  Jill, before we go out, come and sit down here on the couch for a minute (he pretends to sit next to her).  I have something I need to ask you.  (He pretends to be taking her hand in his.)  Jill, I know I haven’t been brave enough to tell you this until now, but the fact is that I have been in love with you for a long time.  I know that you only think of me as your brother’s friend, but the truth is that while I like your brother, I’ve really been coming over here so often just to be near you.  From the first day that I met you I knew there would never be another girl for me.  I just didn’t have the courage to tell you, but tonight is different.  Tonight I have decided to tell you exactly how I feel about you.   (Pulls ring box out of pocket) Jill, I want to spend the rest of my life with you and you alone.  Will you marry me?  You will???  Oh, Jill I’m the happiest man on earth.

( Jill enters with a towel over her head.  Her hair is wet and she is vigorously drying it.  She is wearing an old sweatsuit and funny slippers.)

Jill: Were you saying something, Seth?

Seth: (Has back to Jill.  Quickly hides ring box).  Uh, I was just saying Fastest Man on First.  It’s a new movie that just came out. (He turns slowly towards Jill.)  Jill, you look so lovely tonight.  Your hair…

Jill: Yeah well, I just washed it and can’t do a thing with it.  (She takes towel off her head and has cold cream all over her face.) I haven’t heard about that new movie.  Is that what you and Kevin are doing tonight?  Going to a movie?

Seth: Oh my!  (He sees the cold cream)

Jill: What?

Seth: You have something all over your face.

Jill: Sorry, I forgot.  It’s just cold cream.  It’ll come right off. (She starts to remove cold cream with towel.)  So are you and Kevin going to that movie?

Seth:  What movie?

Jill: The one you were just telling me about.  What was it?  Fastest Man on First?

Seth: Oh, no.  Actually Kevin and I aren’t going out tonight.

Jill: (Finally stops fussing with hair and realizes how Seth is dressed.) Wow!  No, I don’t think you’d get all dressed up like that for Kevin.  So, who’s the lucky lady? (Plugs in hair dryer and starts it.)

Seth: Well, I was hoping maybe you would go out with me tonight.

Jill: What? (Can’t hear over hair dryer)

Seth: I said, how about if you and I go out together?

Jill: (Turns dryer off.) I see; some girl stood you up so you were thinking maybe I’d play second fiddle.  Sure, why not.  Just because you and my brother are friends that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends too.

Seth: So, how about going to Chez Pierre’s?

Jill: Yeah, right.  I’m really dressed for it.  Let’s go to Joe’s.  He cleaned the place up last week.  Now you can almost see the floor.  I’ll just get my jacket.

Seth: Jill, before we go…  (She continues offstage as if she hasn’t heard him.)

Jill: I’ll be right back.

Seth: (He gets down on one knee and begins to practice his proposal.)  Jill, there’s something I have to tell you, or rather there’s something I have to ask you before we go out.  (Pretends Jill has asked him a question.)  What is it?  Well, it has to do with this little box.  Why don’t you open it and see if you can guess what I’m trying to ask you.  Yes, Darling, that’s right.  I want you to be my bride.  Please, Jill, will you marry me?

(Jill enters with jacket and sees Seth down on his knee.)

Jill: What’s the matter Seth?  Did you lose something?

Seth: Uh, yeah, my contact.  Be careful where you step.  (Hides ring box again.)

Jill Let me help you find it.

Seth: No, here it is.  It was in my eye all the time.  I guess it just got knocked sideways.

Jill: Good.  Let’s go.

Seth: Jill, before we go there’s something I have to ask you.  Would you sit down for a minute?

 (Jill sits on a stool.)

Jill: Yes, Seth?

Seth: (Seth goes down on one knee and Jill towers over him because she is on the stool.)  Jill, you know that your brother and I are good friends.

Jill: Yes, I know that.

Seth: But there’s something you don’t know.

Jill: There are a lot of things I don’t know, Seth.  Are you talking about anything in particular?

Seth: Yes, Jill.  There is something I really want to ask you.  (Takes her hand.)

Jill: What is it?

Seth:  I feel silly going to Joe’s dressed like this.  Do you think I could borrow one of your brother’s sweatshirts?

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Copyright John & Joanne Miller, all rights reserved.
This script may be performed free of charge, provided no charge is made for entrance or for programmes. In return, the authors would like to be notified of any performance. For further information regarding performance rights, they may be contacted at: joannesmiller65@gmail.com.