The Date

By Joanne Miller

Summary

A mother and young teenage daughter are at home after school. The daughter tells mom about a school dance coming up. The girl has to ask the guy to the dance.  She wants to call a boy she really likes & invite him.  Mom encourages her to do so. When she finally calls she gives him all the information except her name.

Characters

Mom
Jess - very excitable teenage daughter

Script

(Scene opens with Mom working on paperwork at kitchen table.)

Jess:     (Comes in with books) Hi, Mom.

Mom: Hi, Jess.  How was your day?

Jess: I had a great day!  I got that big Math test back.  Guess what I got on it.

Mom: Um, 87.

Jess: I got a 94!

Mom:  Wow.  That’s great, honey.  I thought you said you didn’t understand it.

Jess: It all just kind of clicked when I was studying for the test.

Mom:  I’m glad to hear that.

Jess: Me, too.  But that wasn’t the best part of my day.  I had lunch with Katrina and guess what she told me.

Mom:  What?

Jess: She told me Ryan likes me!

Mom: THE Ryan?

Jess:  Yep, Ryan McClellan.

Mom: How does Katrina know that?

Jess: She heard it from Karen who heard it from Tasha who heard it from Carolyn who is Ryan’s cousin.

Mom: So do you think it’s reliable information after going through that many people?

Jess: Oh, Mom, I hope so!

Mom: You really like him, don’t you?

Jess: Oh, yeah.  He’s a stud muffin!

Mom: Since I’ve never met him I’ll have to take your word for that.

Jess: Two weeks from this coming Saturday the school is having a dance.  Can I go Mom?

Mom: Look on the calendar, and  see if I have anything on it.

Jess: No, there’s nothing on here for that night.

Mom: Then I suppose you can go.  Who are you going to go with - Carolyn and Tasha?

Jess: No.  It’s a semiformal Sadie Hawkins dance.  You have to have a date and the girl has to invite the guy.

Mom: (Teasingly) Gee, who do you think you could ask?

Jess: Oh, Mom, do you think he’ll go with me?

Mom: I don’t see why not.

Jess: I’ve never invited a boy to a dance before.

Mom: Well, honey, the very worst thing he can say is no, but he just might say yes.

Jess: I guess you’re right.

Mom: Maybe you’d better ask him tomorrow before someone else does.  I’m sure stud muffins are in high demand.

Jess: You mean ask him at school?

Mom: Yes.

Jess: I couldn’t do that!

Mom: Why not?

Jess: If he said no I’d be mortified!

Mom: When are you going to ask him?

Jess:  I was thinking of calling him right now.  What do you think?

Mom: Why not?  Go for it, hon.

Jess: (Jess picks up phone & punches in # ) Hello, is Ryan there please?  Hello, hello Ryan? I was just wondering if you’d like to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance with me. In case you haven’t heard, it’s going to be on a Saturday night, two weeks from this   coming Saturday. It’s a semiformal and I’ll get the tickets.  My mom will take us and pick us up.  (Looks expectantly at mom who nods yes)  It won’t cost you anything. We’d pick you up at your house at 7:00.  What do you think?

Mom: Tell him who you are, dear.

Jess: Oh, this is Jess Caruthers.  You will?  That’s great!  I’ll see you in school tomorrow  and we can talk about it.  Bye.  Oh, Mom, he said YES!  I can’t believe it!  I’m so excited!

Mom: Congratulations, Jess.

Jess: I forgot to tell him who I was!

Mom: Yes, I noticed that.

Jess: I can’t believe I forgot to tell him my name.  He probably thinks I’m an airhead!

Mom: Well, he must think pretty highly of you, he did say yes.

Jess: That’s true.  He did say yes.  Oh, Mom, I hope he has a good time.  What if he doesn’t have a good time?  What if he doesn’t even like to dance?

Mom: He must like to dance if he wants to go with you.

Jess: That’s true.  He’s probably a very good dancer.

Mom: Could be.

Jess: What if he’s a great dancer?  What if he dances a whole lot better than I do?  What if he thinks I’m a lousy dancer?

Mom: Jess, stop worrying so much.  You’re a great dancer, and even if he is better, guys  like to be better at things than girls.

Jess: Yeah, I guess you’re right.  Oh, I hope he has a good time.

Mom: I’m sure you both will.

Jess: Can we go to the mall right now, Mom?

Mom: For what?

Jess: Well, I have to get a new dress and shoes and a purse.  And I need a pair of those stockings with decorations on them, and a new slip and some jewelry.  I probably get a new coat, too, just in case it's really cold that night.

Mom: (Mom groans) I hope I can afford this dance!

Lights out.
......................................................................
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.