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The Proposal By Frederic Colier

KATE, a smart corporate woman in her early thirties.

JUSTIN, a mystery writer in his mid-thirties.

A resort cabin near a remote coast. It is a cabin such as the ones rented for weekend escapes, comfortable but not lavish.

There is a bed on the right. A painting hangs above the bedstead. The painting is the portrait of a young woman dressed in white dress. A garment box with a red silk ribbon lies on the top of the bed.

Next to the bed, a small table with an empty champagne bucket.  Upstage, to the left, a door opens to the bathroom. The front door is on the left. Between the two doors, a small desk and a chair. There is a jacket over the chair. A small wooden chest against a wall.

      Justin Breedlove sits at the desk, engrossed in the story he is writing. He is enthusiastic, bobbing his head up and down as ideas flash through his mind.  He puts his pen down, sits back, and seizes the sheets of paper.  He gets up from his chair and reads out loud.

 

 JUSTIN

   (Reading) - His mind would not rest in peace, as if the most haunting fever had settled in his heart. "She" occupied every minute of his life . . .

  (He walks past the painting.)

  Hey Beautiful.

  And the little boat steered towards the lighthouse.  In front of him, a wall of edged rocks, sharper than a razor's blade . . .

  Yeah! Yeah!

  The night was thick and dark. But, from the distance, the comfort of the light made him forget the danger.

  I love it. I love it. I love it. Love it.

  Strange, he thought, yesterday I was lost in a desert, searching for an oasis that had disappeared from the map . . .

  It's coming back. It's coming back!

  (Singing)

  Water of love deep, deep, deep in the ground.

  (JUSTIN rushes back to the desk. He scrapes something off the page and writes something else. He resumes the reading.)

  The lighthouse's light flashed in the distance. The waves assaulted the rocks as the little dinghy hit a well of fury.  Time to rescue her had arrived.

   I'm back in the game. I’m back! Back! Back! Back! Back!

(He punches an invisible target.)

  Oh brother, what a day!

(As he paces the room, he notices the boxes on the bed. He checks his watch, ponders, seizes the garment box, and flings it under the bed. He lies on top of the bed)

  What a story!  What a story!

 (He blows the portrait kisses.  There is a soft knock on the front door. JUSTIN checks his watch, scans the room rapidly. He straightens the bedspread, pushes the box under the bed with the tip of his foot, then rushes to open the door.

KATE stands at the door, carrying a small suitcase. She looks dejected.)

 

Right on time, as always. I thought you’d get lost on the way. I’m impressed.

 

(He wants to take the suitcase away from her, but, after a brief unemotional hug, she heads straight to the bed where she throws her suitcase. She inspects the room.)

 

Something wrong, honey?

 

kate

 

No, nothing . . . Just the drive . . .

 (She sits on the bed.)

 

gave me a headache.

(She opens her suitcase, grabs a pill.)

 

justin

 

Alone, this drive can be a drag.

 

kate

 

 Alone? … Yes, I suppose.

 

justin

 

It does get pretty windy at times, but the scenery is really breathtaking. Did you see the size of that lighthouse?

 

kate

 

Lighthouse?

 

justin

 

How could you miss it? It’s the biggest one on the coast.

 

kate

 

I felt nauseous the whole way down.

 

justin

 

Is there something wrong?

 

kate

 

It’s nothing.

 

justin

 

You’re a terrible liar, you know. In fact, you’re the worst liar I’ve ever met.

 

kate

 

Something very disturbing just happened.

 

justin

 

I knew it . . . So?

 

kate

 

Not now.

 

justin

 

Please?

 

kate

 

 I'm tired. I’m going to take a shower. I'll feel better afterwards.

 

justin

 

(Gets near her.)

 

No, no, no no no. Not now. Just because you don’t want to talk to me doesn’t mean that I don’t have something to tell you . . .

 

(She looks around.)

 

 What's the matter, honey?

 

kate

 

Don't you think this place is a rather strange choice for a romantic weekend? . . . It’s kind of spooky.

 

 

justin

(He surveys the room.)

 

What do you mean?

 

kate

 

There’s something weird about it.

 

justin

 

 (Looks around)

 

 It’s nice and warm and . . . very quiet. It’s unlike you to be so bothered by things.  This drive’s got the best of you. You should have come down with me.

 

(Kate looks about the room.)

  A good night sleep and you’ll feel different.

 

(He waits for her to look at him.)

  So are you interested in what I have to say, or shall we let what’s bothering you spoil the whole evening?

 

KATE

 

Just give me time to arrive. A minute.

 

justin

 

All right, why don’t you just tell me what happened? You’re driving me insane.

 

kate

 

I’ve had a terrible day at work.

(Justin looks at her askance.)

 

I . . .

 

justin

 

You?

 

kate

 

I stopped in town to get some gas.

 

justin

 

 That’s frightening.

 

kate

 

I’ve always been there for you when you needed someone to vent your frustrations to.

 

justin

 

Okay, I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

 

kate

 

I overheard this old man talking . . . about this weird story. I don’t know why but it really scared me.

 

justin

 

You shouldn’t pay attention. People around here don’t like tourists. They would say anything to scare you.

 

kate

 

And the drive was so . . . so sinister. These small roads, in the middle of nowhere . . . As if you drive on and on and never get anywhere.

 

justin

 

My god, they did scare you.

 

kate

 

Outside the station, this old man was telling this grim story. He was sitting on a bench, talking to a young man from out of town.

 

JUSTIN

 

How do you know he was from out-of-town?

 

kate

 

He was too nicely dressed for being from around here. The old man told him to get the hell out of town, at once. The young man smiled and asked him why. So the old man asked him if he had heard about “The Pale Maiden.”

 

justin

 

That would make a great title for a novel.

 

kate

 

Apparently, at this time of the year, she seduces and kills a young man in the county.

 

justin

 

Is this why you find this place spooky?

 

 (He hugs her.)

 

 This is non-sense. I’ve never even heard about this maiden, and I’ve known people who’ve been coming around here for years.

 

kate

 

She was a beautiful young woman. One day, a young man passed through town. It was love at first sight and he proposed to her. They left together. But they had barely reached the coast when he grew impatient. He demanded to consummate their love before getting married. She refused. So he raped her and strangled her. But before dying, she grabbed his knife stabbed him, and disappeared. And for the last one hundred years, more than thirty young men, all travelers, have been found stabbed to death—without an explanation.

 

justin

 

I didn’t know you to be such a good storyteller. Very convincing. This old man’s got a fertile imagination . . . Did he run away?  . . . The “nicely dressed young man.”

 

kate

 

No, but he was frightened. I could tell in his eyes.

 

justin

 

He probably was afraid that the fog would swallow him alive . . . 

(Kate closes her suitcase.)

 

We’ll find out tomorrow if he makes the headlines.

 

KATE

 

We should go.

 

JUSTIN

 

You’ve just arrived. There’s not an ounce of truth to this story. We’re going to have a good time.

 

kate

 

I don't like this place.

 

justin

 

It’s unlike you to be so gullible. You’re in such a state.

 

kate

 

You should have seen the look the old man gave me . He had small blue piercing eyes and they grinned at me . . . It was as if he was trying to curse me. I get shivers just thinking about it.

(Pause.)

 

justin

 

Nothing’s going to happen.

 

(Kate acts scared.)

 

Okay, maybe a drink will cheer you up.

 

kate

 

I’ve got a splitting headache.

 

justin

 

Just a small one.

 

kate

 

Not for me. Not now.

 

justin

 

I’ve got something else that may help.

 

kate

 

Why don't we go somewhere else?

 

justin

 

This place is giving me life again. Haven’t felt as great in a long time.

 

kate

 

Yes, you’re cheerful.

 

justin

 

I’ve been trying to tell you something ever since you walked in. Stay there.

 

 (JUSTIN makes her sit on the bed, rushes to the table and seizes several sheets of paper.)

 

 Look. I’ve got a killer one.

 

KATE

 

You’re working on a new story?

 

justin

 

 (He hands her the story.)

 

 Five years of sheer torture gone,

 

 (He snaps his fingers)

 

like a puff of smoke.  Inspiration has returned.

 

kate

 

(She hands them back to him.)

 

 Not now . . . Later.

 

justin

 

Let me read you the intro then.

 

kate

 

 Please, please later. I’m very happy for you. I’ll have a look at it later.

 

justin

 

Later when we should be celebrating, I don’t think so.

 

(He pulls on her hands to make her get up. Kate lies on the bed.)

 

Get up! You’ve got to get over this silly state of mind.

 

(She does not want to get up. Justin paces about the room. He stops in front of the painting and stares at it.)

 

kate

 

Sorry, I don’t feel well.

 

justin

 

Glad to hear that some stranger’s story interests you more than mine . . .  Was he handsome at least?

 

(Kate gapes at him.)

 

The young man from the gas station.

 

kate

 

Why is it so hard for you to understand?

 

justin

 

(Smiles)

 

You look just like her.

 

kate

 

Her?

 

(Justin shakes his head yes.)

 

 

 I look nothing like her.

 

justin

 

Say you.

 

(He draws near to kiss her. She turns her head away.)

 

kate

 

She looks—

 

justin

 

Does she scare you too?

 

kate

 

Why are you doing this? Why don’t you hold me instead of teasing me?

 

(She gets up)

 

 Nothing seems right. Take this painting down. There’s something eerie about her. I don’t like the smirk she’s got on her face.

 

justin

 

It’s only a painting.

 

kate

 

I can’t relax with her staring at me.

 

(She clutches the portrait and reads the engraved plate.)

 

"Portrait of Kathryn Bault." My God!  That's the name of the Pale Maiden . . . I told you there was something strange about this place.

 

(She grabs her suitcase.)

 

We can't stay here. We’re leaving now.

 

justin

 

Kate! It’s only a painting. See.

 

(He picks up his jacket from the chair and covers the painting.)

 

kate

 

Why on earth would anyone hang the portrait of this woman in a weekend retreat? Why scare people for nothing?

 

justin

 

Would you please stop your non-sense? You’re making something out of nothing.

 

kate

 

How can you say that?

 

justin

 

(Goes to the front door and opens it.)

 

 Anyone there?

 

(He closes the door, locks it, removes the key, and puts it in his pocket.)

 

 No one will bother us now.

 

(He kneels down, checks under the mattress.)

 

No one under the mattress either.

 

kate

 

Stop making fun of me.

 

justin

 

(He takes the suitcase away from her, puts it on the floor, and gives her a hug.)

 

Feeling better?

 

kate

 

I’m cold.

 

(He tightens his arms around her.)

 

justin

 

What about now? . . .  So how was work today?

 

kate

 

Same old.

 

justin

 

How was my good old friend, Karl?

 

kate

 

Karl?

(She pushes him away.)

 

I haven’t seen him.

 

justin

 

Too busy lunching around . . .

 

(Pause)

 

I’m so happy you‘ve made it all the way up here on your own. I’m so  thrilled to see you.

 

kate

 

It’s unlike you to be in such high spirits. Please give me the key. I’d feel better if I kept it.

 

(She wrestles to get the key out of his pocket.)

 

justin

 

(Brandishes the key and puts it back in his pocket.)

 

No one’s leaving tonight.  Now it’s only you and me—and no one else.

 

kate

 

All right. I know you. You’ve got something up your sleeve. There’s something I should know, isn’t there? Something you’ve been dying to tell me, right? If you’ve asked me to come all this way, after all, there’s got to be a good reason?

 

justin

 

What reason could that be?

 

(Pause.)

 

kate

 

Let’s get it over with, shall we?

 

(Pause.)

 

Say something.

 

Justin

 

Get over with what?

 

KATE.

 

Over with what you’re dying to tell me.

 

Justin

 

Do you have something to tell me?

 

KATE

 

Why are we here?

 

justin

 

(He grabs the champagne bucket…)

 

 . . . I meant tonight to be a celebration, but, I guess, we may have to wait for it.

 

(and puts it down.)

 

kate

 

I’m confused. Celebration of what? I thought we were going to  . . .

 

justin

 

To? . . . 

 

kate

 

Have a talk.

 

justin

 

 About what?

 

kate

 

Something or other.

 

justin

 

Well, I’d like to complain about your behavior if that is what you mean. I've been trying to tell you something ever since you walked in and you’ve been distant.

 

kate

(She points at the room.)

 

Why did you bring me here? To a place like this?

 

justin

 

Guess?

 

 (Pause.)

 

kate

 

I’m way too tired to play games.

 

justin

 

“Celebration”? Come on? How many clues do you need?

kate

 

I had an idea . . . but then again you’re way too happy . . . I’ve also got a vague sense of something else . . . a fantasy but . . . it’s very unlikely.

 

justin

 

Anything goes.

 

kate

(She looks about the room)

 

It would be unfair to treat me this way. It would be cruel.

justin

 

Dream the impossible.

 

kate

 

Don’t tell me you’re going to . . .? I need to sit down. My legs . . .

 

justin

 

That’s right. I want you to sit on the bed and take a deep breath. It’s been a marvelous day. You’ve had a great drive and you’re very happy to see me.

 

kate

 

Uh-huh.

 

justin

 

Close your eyes. Put your hands out. Now, I wanted to see you so badly. I can’t wait to share something extra special with you.

 

(He walks to the desk, gathers all the sheets, and lays them in her hands.)

 

kate

 

What’s this?

 

justin

 

My new novel. A winner. I’ve been working on the outline since last night. It’s going to be amazing.

 

kate

 

This is very . . . upsetting.

 

(She jumps off the bed.)

 

justin

 

This is not the response I expected.

 

(He chases her with his papers.)

 

kate

 

How could you do that? First, you say you need to tell me something with an air of urgency on your face, which makes me fear the worst. Then, you say you’ve got great news, leading me to believe  . . . all sorts of things.

 

justin

 

Such as?

 

kate

 

Who knows what? You’re always surprising me.

 

justin

 

I just did. A brand new book in sight. What more do you need?  This is going to change our lives.

 

kate

 

This is going to change your life.

 

justin

 

You’re so difficult to please. Nice romantic weekend, a new novel. It’s never enough for you. I’d planned everything from A to Z. Karl recommended this place. He assured me it’d work wonders.

 

kate

 

Karl did?

 

justin

 

Yes, Karl. Remember my agent?

 

kate

 

Why would he send you to a place in the middle of nowhere?

 

justin

 

He’s been here before and loved it. He cares for me. If inspiration didn’t strike here, he said, it’d never strike again. You remember when I left two days ago how ecstatic I was. It’s as if I already knew what was going to happen. So I drove down here, just like you did. I stopped in town, looked at the lighthouse. Everything seemed to be talking to me. Then one idea came to mind. I wrote it down. It had been years. Then an idea led to another. Before I knew it a river was flowing in my brain. My hand running wild, filling up pages and pages, out of control. Good old Karl, what would I do without him?

 

kate

 

Yes, there’s nothing like a change of scenery.

 

justin

 

That’s what real friends do for each other. They can trust each other. They don’t stab each other in the back. You crash: they fly to your rescue.

 

kate

 

He should. He’s your best friend after all.

 

justin

 

I’ve been good to him too. He’s had a good ride on my back.

 

(Pause)

 

Anyway, I’ll be able to get him off my back now. Everyone’s going to be happy. This is a goldmine.

 

(He hands the manuscript back to her. She takes it, leafs through some pages.)

 

kate

 

It looks very good.

 

(She puts the manuscript down.)

 

justin

 

“Looks very good,” is that all you can say after a five-year hiatus?

 

kate

 

I’ve had a long day.

 

justin

 

Spare me the drama will you. I know what you’re up to when you behave this way.

 

kate

 

Can’t we just drop it for tonight? I’d like to go to sleep.

 

justin

 

So that’s it? . . .  Unbelievable. For five years you’ve harassed me to write a masterpiece, and now that I’ve got the outline for one, you want to go to sleep.

 

kate

 

I’m very happy for you.

 

justin

 

What kind of comment is that?

 

kate

 

I’m sorry if I can’t be as excited as you are, I’m just . . .

 

justin

 

 Just what?  . . . Is there something you want to tell me?

kate

 

Do you know how many conversations we’ve had about the future? Hundreds.

 

Justin

 

I don’t know what you’re referring to.

 

Kate

 

Of course you do. You just choose not to remember.

 

 

Justin

 

I’ve always said this dry spell wouldn’t last forever.

 

kate

 

Goodness gracious! I’m disappointed! Can’t you see that?

 

(Justin looks away)

 

 

Disappointed! Disappointed! What is it you don’t understand about it?

 

(She catches herself becoming angry and calms down.)

 

I can’t believe you’d ask me to come down to this place just to hear about your outline. I had to take a day off work.

 

justin

 

It was well worth it.

 

KATE

 

We could have done this at home, after work, just the same.

 

justin

 

Since when do we need a reason to go away for the weekend?

kate

 

Since we’re broke! Have you seen the stack of bills on the entrance table? Half of them we can’t afford.

 

justin

 

I’m going to get a good advance for this story.

 

kate

 

Wonderful.

 

justin

 

There’s no need to worry about the money.  We can maybe even move to a bigger place.  A place with more lights and maybe even a terrace. 

 

kate

 

Terrific.

 

justin

 

You always said you’d love to move to a new place . . . But what now? You’ve changed you mind? Is that it?

 

kate

 

I just thought . . .

 

justin

 

What?

 

kate

 

Nothing.

 

justin

 

You thought what?

 

kate

 

I thought you were going to say something else . . . I thought you were going to  . . . propose to me.

 

justin

(He picks up his manuscript.)

 

Propose?

 

kate

 

Yes, like asking me to marry you.

 

justin

 

Here we go again.

 

kate

 

That’s right here we go again. I’m sick and tired of waiting.  It’s always about your needs. . . .  

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