The Proposal
By: Sean Colcleasure
Characters:
Jamie, female mid-Twenties
Shannon, female mid-Twenties
Mark, male late Twenties to early Thirties.
Drunken Bimbo, female, age unimportant
Set/Props: A couple chairs, some clothes, a coffee table with a Hello Kitty picture, a small jewelry shaped box wrapped with a bow that contains a ring.
We open on Jaime picking up around the apartment. She starts picking up the clothes on the chairs when the box falls to the floor.
Jaime
(Picking up the box) Oh my god, it couldn’t be. He wouldn’t. Would he? No, it’s too soon. I mean, we’ve only been dating for six months, but then again, we have talked about it. However, he said he wasn’t ready, but then he moved in. Oh god, oh god, what does this mean? (She sits down holding the box in her hands, turning it over and over when Shannon enters.)
Shannon
What’s going on? I heard a lot of “Oh Gods” and wasn’t sure if I should leave my room for fear of finding you and Mark doing it on the kitchen floor again. (She looks to Jaime for a response and see her frozen, staring at the box.) Hey, where’d you find that?
Jaime
What?
Shannon
The box, where’d you get that?
Jaime
Here, under the clothes. I…I think Mark is gonna ask me to marry him. Oh god, I think Mark is going to propose to me.
Shannon
Why, because you found a little ring shaped box? Who knows, maybe it’s earrings, (under her breath) if you’re lucky. But since it is Mark, it’s probably just one of those cliché Gladdagh rings that you can get for five dollars at any head shop here in town.
Jaime
(Finally looking up from the ring) What, no, Mark’d never get me a stupid ring like that. He knows what I like.
Shannon
Really, then explain these. (She holds up the most gaudy pair of panties and a bra) Let me see if I can remember what you told me after he gave them to you…oh yes, (mimicking Jaime )“what does he think I am a prostitute? I’d never wear anything like this.”
Jaime
(Snatching them out of Shannon’s hand) Yeah, well that was before he made me put them on. You know, they’re actually pretty comfortable, and Mark thinks I look great in them.
Shannon
Okay then, what about what he got you for your birthday?
Jaime
You said you’d never mention that again. And besides, he apologized.
Shannon-
Yeah, he apologized alright, but who even thinks of giving a girl they’ve only been dating for three months a choke collar for her birthday. God, he is such a douche.
Jaime
(A little shocked) Wait, are you saying that you don’t like Mark?
Shannon
As a person, I guess he’s okay, but as your boyfriend…not at all. He’s just like all the others.
Jaime
No, he’s not. He loves me, and he’s the first boyfriend that’s ever asked to move in with me.
Shannon
Because he got evicted from his apartment. God, you are so infuriating sometimes. Look at your history. (Holding up fingers as she counts them off) First there was Justin who was screwing around with Margie before, during and after you. Then came Luke. Remember Luke? Yeah, we don’t need to say any more about that loser, now do we? (Jaime shakes her head, no.) Then came Steven, Tyron and Kyle. I still can’t believe that you let them convince you that it would be okay to date all three of them at the same time. (As those words leave her mouth, she sees Jaime has tears in her eyes, but she is still holding onto the box.) Oh honey, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just get so angry at the way you let men treat you. (She puts her arms around her, takes the box from Jaime and gives her a big hug.) So, do you think he could have gotten a pair of finger cuff in here? (They both laugh and separate.)
Jaime
(Holding back tears) I guess I don’t know how to pick’em, do I? I surround myself with deadbeats and guys that only want one thing from me.
Shannon
Hey, that’s not totally true, I’m not a deadbeat and Mark didn’t want you just for sex, he needed a place to sleep, too. (Laughs)
Jaime
Oh, shut up. (A smile comes across her face.) But don’t you think it could work with Mark. I mean he could change, right.
Shannon
I don’t think so. Remember two weeks ago, when he “talked” us into that threesome? Did you notice anything?
Jaime
What do you mean?
Shannon
I mean, did you notice the way he focused all of his attention on me. That’s the way they all have been, haven’t they? If they loved you, wouldn’t they want only you? Wouldn’t they do anything to make you happy, to see you smile? Wouldn’t what might be in this box actually mean something?
Jaime
Shannon, you just don’t understand what it’s like. You’ve never been in a serious relationship. You have to make compromises when you love someone, don’t you?
Shannon
Compromise, you mean like allowing your roommate to decorate the living room in Hello Kitty paraphernalia?
Jamie
(Standing and staring Hello Kitty picture on the table) You don’t like Hello Kitty? (She stares at Shannon who for the first time turns away.) But you helped me pick out most of it.
Shannon
(Continuing.) Or going out dancing in the clubs till 3 in the morning when you have to be to work at 8 just because your best friend wants to?
Jamie
I know you don’t like clubs, but you always seem to have fun when we’re there.
Shannon
I do… (Turning and facing Jamie. Her demeanor has become more serious as she delivers these lines.) And lastly, allowing some sleaze, who you can’t stand to move into your apartment and then let him put his hands all over you and fuck him just to see your roommate smile? Is that what you mean by compromise?
Jaime
What are you saying, any time I looked at you, you were…smiling…at…(almost whispering) me.
Shannon
(Stepping closer to Jamie) That’s right. That’s compromise. That’s what you do when you’re in a serious relationship, and I have been in one, the most serious one of my entire life, for the past twelve years.
Jaime
Wait, what are you saying?
Shannon
I am saying something that I have felt ever since the first day of fifth grade in Mrs. Michaels’ class. Do you remember that day? (Jaime stares at Shannon as though seeing her for the first time and nods her head.) When you turned to me, wearing that yellow sundress, with your hair puller up in a bun, and smiled at me? I’ll never forget the way I felt when you grabbed my hand to introduce yourself? Do you remember the electric shock that passed between our fingers making us laugh?
Jamie
(Nodding) Yes, I remember.
Shannon
Well, that was it. That was the moment I knew that I loved you, and I have loved you every day since.
Jaime
You…love me? You’ve always loved me? But…you never said anything. I never even knew you were gay.
Shannon
Gay? I don’t know that I’m gay, but if you want to label it, I guess I am. (Smiling but getting more passionate.) But, Jaime…what I have for you is love, true love. For me, it doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman, it’s about who we are together, or when we’re apart. (Moves still closer). You’re the first person I speak to every morning and the last before I go to bed. You’re the only person in this world that I would drive 10 hours through a snow storm to pick up because some jerk-headed boyfriend dumped you, and then stay the night sleeping on the floor after I get there and find out you’re already back together.
Jaime
(Sits and stares in disbelief) You love me?
Shannon
Yes, god damn it. And I know you love me, too. I know you felt it the other night when we were together. (Touches Jamie’s hand.) Yes, Mark was there, but he didn’t matter. It was just us. It was me getting to be intimate with you, to touch you, to hold you, to love you for the first time. (Jaime smiles a little as she thinks of that night.) It was that moment that led me here. (Shannon removes the ribbon from the ring box and kneels in front of Jaime.)
Jaime
Wait…what are you doing with Mark’s…
Shannon
(Interrupting.) My ring-box. This was never about Mark. I mean, if he hadn’t brought us together the other night, I probably wouldn’t be here doing this at this moment, but now, I feel the timing is right, and I don’t want to lose you. (Smiles and places a hand on Jamie’s cheek.) And, I know you feel the same way…don’t you?
Jaime
Shan, I…
Shannon
Shhhh. Hold that thought, please. Let me have my say, and when I have finished, say what you feel, but please, let me get this out. (Jaime nods as Shannon gets down on one knee.) Jaime Lynn Danielson, you have been my best friend through thick and thin. You were there for me when I lost my mom, and there to celebrate my big promotion at work. You bake the best brownies and give the world’s best hugs. You are the kindest, most caring and honest person I have ever met in my life. (They both start to cry.) If I am having a bad day, it’s your voice that calms me. If I’m sick, it’s your soup that comforts me. (Talking through tears.) Jaime, I don’t know what this life has to offer us, but I know I want to go through it with you and only you. You make me whole, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life loving you, but openly. No more of this quiet pining. (She opens the ring box and takes Jamie’s hand.) Jaime, will you marry me and make us the happiest people on this screwed up planet?
Jamie
But what about…oh fuck it. Yes. (She squeals, kneels and gives Shannon a big hug.) Oh god, yes, I will marry you. (They kiss.)
Shannon
(Separating for a moment) Wait, I can’t believe I am saying that, but I haven’t finished. Let me do this the right way.
Jamie
(Beside herself.) Okay, but hurry.
(Shannon takes the ring out of the box and starts to slide it onto Jaime’s finger, when Mark walks through the door with a drunken bimbo on his arm.)
Mark
I’m hoo…what the fuck are you doing with my ring?
Curtain
