Scene I

In the town. Adam enters.

ADAM:

(Glances around)

Must be early...

(begins humming, then singing)

SONG 1:
"BLESS YOUR BEAUTIFUL HIDE"

During the first verse, ADAM eyes LIZA and SARAH as they walk by; they look back and give him flirtatious smiles.

Second verse, CAROLINE walks in with LEM far behind.

ADAM:

Good morning, ma'am.

CAROLINE:

Morning sir.

ADAM:

Nice day for marryin', isn't it.

LEM enters, puts his arm around CAROLINE

LEM:

It sure is, Carrie.

CAROLINE:

Aw Lem, I thought you'd never ask!

The pair walk away, ADAM looks upset. Continues the song.

Meanwhile, SAM and TOM enter. They sit at the table and start talking.

ADAM finishes singing and sits on a bench. MILLY enters. ADAM watches her, and finishes the song.

MILLY:

(sighs) Alright boys, what can I get you?

SAM:

Hey Milly, when are you gonna marry me ?

MILLY:

Oh, next week Sam.

TOM:

She's gonna marry me, ain't ya Milly?

MILLY:

Oh Tom, what would your wife say?

(The three laugh, ADAM chuckles.)

Anyways, what can I get you?

SAM:

Just the usual, Mill.

ADAM clears his throat, Milly looks up and goes over to him.

MILLY:

Haven't seen you around her. You new to town?

ADAM:

Live up the mountain. Just coming down to trade up some furs, get some supplies. Got a nice place up there.

(MILLY smiles)

MILLY:

Sounds lovely. Would you like anything to eat? Got some fresh stew in the back there.

(ADAM nods)

ADAM:

Smells good enough to eat.

MILLY:

Tastes good too, so they tell me.

ADAM:

Got any ketchup handy?

MILLY (confidently)

My stew can stand on its own feet.

MILLY exits, returning with three bowls of stew. She gives one to the BOYS,

then goes over to ADAM.

MILLY:

So, how long're you in town for?

ADAM:

Well, I guess it depends.

(Pause)

MILLY:

Depends on what?

ADAM:

Oh uh, you know.. the price of furs, the supplies...

MILLY:

I see.

ADAM:

Name's Adam. Adam Pontipee.

MILLY:

Quite a name, I must say.

ADAM:

Name ain't nothin' in comparison to the farm. Sheep, cows, chickens, 58 acres of wheat up there. Only thing it ain't got is a woman.

MILLY:

Shame.

(starts to walk away)

ADAM:

How 'bout it?

MILLY:

(stops)How 'bout what?

ADAM (smiling)

I just told ya. How 'bout marryin' me?

MILLY, incredulous, sits down to stare at him. She opens her mouth to speak, ADAM interrupts.

I know it's short notice. I mean, back east we would've met in church. Six months later, I'd ask to walk you home. Next three years I'd take you out, but out here there's no time. I've gotta get home before dark, and it'll be another five months before I'm back down here with my grain. You wouldn't ask me to wait five months for your pride's sake, would ya?

MILLY:

Well, I... I'd have to finish my chores first.

ADAM:

That's it! From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were the gal for me.

(Gets up to leave.)

I'll just go clean up and call on the parson.

Adam EXITS, leaving Millie with a dazed expression.

--

Scene II

At Reverend Elcott's home. Milly and Adam stand, with the reverend in front of them. Alice sits behind him.

REVEREND:

Milly, as your guardian, I must say that I do not approve of this marriage.

MILLY:

Oh Reverend, you're always telling me I should get married. It isn't proper for a woman to be single, you said.

REVEREND:

But I was hoping for one of our boys. They're from good stock.

ADAM:

And I'm not?

REVEREND:

We barely know anything about you!

MILLY:

Reverend, believe me, I tried. I'd say yes to one, then I'd get this... this sinking feeling down in my heart. Oh, when he asked me I was waiting for that feeling to come, but it never came. And now... now I'm so happy I could cry.

Rate this script:(0.00 / 0 votes)