act one scene five

LON. Oh, Ess?

ESTHER. Yes, Alonso?

ESTHER. Yes, Alonso?

LON. May I present our neighbor, John Truitt?

ESTHER. Uhhh, I didn't quite catch the name?

LON. John Truitt.

ESTHER. Well, welcome to our home, Mr. Truitt.

JOHN. Well, thank you. You know, this is the first time l've been to a party since we moved to St. Louis.

ESTHER. Oh, do you live here?

LON. He lives next door.

ESTHER. Oh, well that's where I've seen you. May I take your hat?

ROSE. Well, if they promise to go right up. Agnes, that's enough fudge.

ESTHER. They really do sing quite well for children. What would you like to sing, dear?

"Baby's Boat," "The Silver Moon," or "Did You Ever See a Rabbit Climb a Tree?"

TOOTIE. NO. I hate those songs. I want to sing a new one. It goes,

"I was hmmm last night, dear mother...."

ESTHER. You certainly can't sing that one.

Guest

Go on.

ESTHER. Oh, all right. Anything to keep the peace.

Now that you've suggested this, you'd better be good.

AGNES. We will.

this one’s too big

ESTHER. (handing Tootie another hat) Try this one. That's fine. We'll need one verse and two

choruses

ROSE. (at piano) All right, Ess. Do you want an introduction?

ESTHER. Yes. The long one. (to Rose) Now.

ROSE. Your hat? Oh, Ess dear, have you seen Mr. Truitt's chapeau?

ESTHER. (innocently) Well, I seem to have seen it somewhere. I-Oh, excuse me just a

minute.

JOHN. Thank you, Miss Rose.

ESTHER. Here's your hat... It was right where I left it. (taking dent out of hat

ROSE. Bon soir, Mr. Truitt. Coming up, Ess?

ESTHER. Presently, Rose. After all, someone has to escort our guest to the door.

JOHN. Well, I guess I'd better be going.

ESTHER. You haven't very far to go.

JOHN. No, no. I haven't at that, have I? Well, good night.

ESTHER. We're all going to the fairgrounds Friday. Will you be joining us?

JOHN. I'd like to, if baseball practice doesn't run too late.

ESTHER. Please come. A gentleman shouldn't turn down a lady's request.

JOHN. I guess not, Miss Esther. Good night.

ESTHER. Mr. Truitt?

ESTHER. This is an untoward request, but would you mind accompanying me through the house while I turn off the lights?

JOHN. Well, I, uh..

ESTHER. It's just that I'm afraid of the dark.

JOHN. Well, sure, sure... that's the least a man can do for his charming hostess.

ESTHER. It's certainly dark in here with the lights off...

JOHN. It certainly is.

ESTHER. I have to turn them off everywhere... the dining room... the stairway...

everywhere.

JOHN. Shall we do the dining room now?

ESTHER. Yes.

JOHN. Uh-huh.

ESTHER. It's Essence of Violets. I save it for special occasions.

JOHN. Exactly the kind my grandma uses.

ESTHER. I'll just turn off this last one.

JOHN. Hadn't we better leave something on for Lon?

ESTHER. I'll just turn it down low.