Scene Six
Olvera Street plaza/shop,
Friday midday.
Lights up as Jeff enters the plaza with a spring in his step. Music comes up for "
I'm Ready".
JEFF
I have had almost all of my life
Reservations about taking a wife.
Though I hate cancellations
I have cancelled my reservations...
Because I'm ready...
To be yours now and evermore.
To love you only
And discover what life has in store.
I'm ready. I need you
I will love and appreciate you, evermore.
I'll turn in my round-trip and learn
How to travel on without a return.
I'll trade my old 'passport to roam'
For a daily dose of "Honey, I'm home."
Because I'm ready...
To be yours now and evermore.
To love you only
And discover what life has in store.
I'm ready. I need you
I will love and appreciate you, evermore,
Evermore.
Jeff enters the shop and crosses to Anita who is standing at the counter.
ANITA
Jeff? I wasn't expecting...
Angel, Ruth, Dawn, and Zita watch from the doorway as Jeff proposes. Jeff goes down on his knee, presents the ring, and asks:
JEFF
Will you marry me?
Observers applaud and coo. Jeff and Anita notice them for the first time.
JEFF (continues)
Thank you for the moral support, ladies, Angel. I'd like to meet with Anita in private for a few minutes, if you don't mind.
RUTH
Aw, but this is the best thing on the tour. Can I just set the video camera going?
Angel ushers the three women off.
JEFF
I know this isn't very romantic, but I couldn't wait until Tuesday. Anita, I love you, and I want to marry you. Will you marry me?
ANITA
Is that a real diamond?
JEFF
[slightly confused at Anita's reaction] According to the jeweler. Is there something wrong?
ANITA
It's just such a large stone. How can you afford it?
JEFF
That's something I've been meaning to tell you.
Jeff gets up slowly and steers Anita to one edge of the counter. She is suddenly reluctant to be touched.
ANITA
Go on.
JEFF
If you're worried that we won't have enough money, you should know that I'm not just a tour guide. I have another source of income. I own this business.
ANITA
Oh, my God! So it's true! You call it a business?!
JEFF
Well, yeah. That's what it is.
ANITA
I suppose you think it's all part of the travel business, arranging people's "trips".
JEFF
Right. I try to make their trips special, make them feel good and have a great experience. You seem to be upset. I guess I should have told you about it before, but --
ANITA
I thought I knew you. And now you tell me this... and the whole time you act like it shouldn't make any difference to me. Well, it does!
Anita drops the ring and runs out. Jeff picks up the ring.
JEFF
[to the cat] What did I do wrong, Snowball? I'm new at this. Am I supposed to follow her? She doesn't mind that I'm a tour guide, but when I tell her that I own Glama Tours, she treats me like some kind of a gangster.
Wow, the only woman I've ever proposed to. This isn't the way I thought it would happen. Well, thanks for the sympathetic ear, Snowball. You're a good listener. If you get a chance, put in a good 'meow' for me.
I guess Sean was right. I must not be the marrying kind.
Jeff walks slowly back to the bus as lights fade out.
Continue to Act II, Scene 7
Copyright © 2003 William Armstrong
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