The Drawing Room Play Script PDF

The Drawing Room CAST: SAMANTHA, BROOKE SCENE OPENS: SAMANTHA is seated at a table in her apartment. She checks her watch once, then again. Finally she gets up and begins to get ready to go out. She gets her jacket and bag, and as she's about to exit, BROOKE enters. BROOKE definitely...

The Drawing Room CAST: SAMANTHA, BROOKE SCENE OPENS: SAMANTHA is seated at a table in her apartment. She checks her watch once, then again. Finally she gets up and begins to get ready to go out. She gets her jacket and bag, and as she's about to exit, BROOKE enters. BROOKE definitely has a New York upbringing and the accent to prove it. SAMANTHA: Well, it's about time. Another thirty seconds and I would have been gone. BROOKE: I'm sorry, but as you're always telling me, I'm always a minute short and a day late. SAMANTHA: That's fine for you, but now you're affecting my whole day. Well, never mind, you're here now. What's so important that I had to give up my aerobics class? BROOKE: I need a big favor from you. SAMANTHA: So I gathered from your phone call. BROOKE: Yeah, I have an audition and I need your help to learn how to speak proper. SAMANTHA: Speak properly! BROOKE: See, you're the perfect teacher. You can be my Henry Higgins. SAMANTHA: I'm not sure I appreciate the comparison, but I'll give it a try. (They both sit.) BROOKE: Great! SAMANTHA: First, what's the play, and second, when's the audition? BROOKE: The audition is tomorrow and the play is The Drawing Room. SAMANTHA: The Drawing Room?! Roger Wainright's new play? How did you get an audition for that? I've been trying to get in on that for a month. BROOKE: My agents showed the director my picture and he told her that he wanted to see me. SAMANTHA: I take it he hasn't heard you speak yet? BROOKE: No, he hasn't. That's why I need your help. I figure it anyone could teach me that Noel Coward, Roger Wainright type of stuff, you can. SAMANTHA: What? BROOKE: You know what I mean. All those people in those plays are so uptight. BROOKE: So, are you going to help me, Sammy? SAMANTHA: Not if you call me Sammy. BROOKE: OK, will you help me — Samantha? SAMANTHA: Well, I must admit it will be a challenge. BROOKE: Here's the scene I'm reading tomorrow. (She gives SAMANTHA the script and SAMANTHA looks it over.) SAMANTHA: (In a proper British accent) This is really quite simple. BROOKE: That's great! SAMANTHA: I know. You see, you must remember that these are proper people. It's as if every word they speak is carefully chosen and pronounced. BROOKE: OK, I understand. (SAMANTHA shows BROOKE the script.) SAMANTHA: Now — you are Pamela. Remember what I just told you. Now — how would you say this line? BROOKE: I wouldn't say that line. SAMANTHA: What? BROOKE: I wouldn't say that line. Look at this. (Reading) "I'm so pleased to make your acquaintance. I hope you're finding your stay a pleasant one." Who talks like that? SAMANTHA: Roger Wainright's people do. What would you say? BROOKE: I don't know. (Pause) How about, "Nice to see ya. How's it going?" SAMANTHA: (Dropping the accent) "Nice to see ya, how's it going?" You've got to be kidding. BROOKE: Why? SAMANTHA: Because you're auditioning for Pamela and this is how she speaks. BROOKE: (Getting angry) Well, it's a dumb way to talk. I am not going to do it. SAMANTHA: I should have my head examined trying to teach proper English to a person with the grammatical patterns of Rocky! BROOKE: Is that how you feel about it? SAMANTHA: Yes. BROOKE: Then why don't we just forget the whole thing? SAMANTHA: That suits me fine. BROOKE: Me too, bye! (BROOKE picks up her things and starts to exit.) SAMANTHA: Halt! (BROOKE stops at the door.) First off, you forgot your script. Second, I won that argument too easily. BROOKE: What are you talking about? SAMANTHA: I've known you for a long time, Brooke. You don't want to do well tomorrow. BROOKE: You're crazy. SAMANTHA: Am I? Come on, Brooke. Be straight with me. What's wrong? BROOKE: I am and nothing's wrong! SAMANTHA: There is too. BROOKE: There is not! SAMANTHA: Yes there is — now tell me! (Silence) BROOKE: (Softly) Fine — I'll tell you. (Pause) I'm terrified. SAMANTHA: Terrified of what? BROOKE: I've been acting since I was five years old, but all the parts I've gotten I could have slept through. Now I've got a chance to stretch myself as an actress and I'm scared I won't succeed, that I'll be — laughed at. If that happens — I don't know if I could take it. SAMANTHA: I don't mean to minimize your fears, but you're hardly alone. You very well may be laughed at. Then again — you may be brilliant. You're too good an actress not to try. I think you can do it, but that's not really important it you don't think so. BROOKE: So, you think I should go for it? SAMANTHA: Absolutely. At least it'll stop you from doing plays like, Biker Heaven for a while. (They both laugh, then hug.) BROOKE: I knew you'd be my Henry Higgins. (SAMANTHA takes the script, opens it and motions for BROOKE to take a seat.) SAMANTHA: "I'm so please to make your acquaintance. I hope you're finding your stay a pleasant one." Repeat. Please. (BROOKE starts to repeat as the lights fade.) The End