(THEY'VE ARRIVED AT THE HOUSE WHERE THE PARTY IS. CECIL IS NOW VERY NERVOUS ABOUT GOING IN THERE, DRESSED AS A GIRL.)

 

CECIL:

Hey-hey, wait a minute, Sally. Let's don't go in yet.

SALLY:

Why not, Cecil?

CECIL:

Don't ring the bell yet.

SALLY:

But, Cecil, we don't wanna stay out here on the porch.

CECIL:

Do-do-do-do-- Do I look all right?

SALLY:

Yes. You look beautiful.

CECIL:

Oh-oh-oh, gosh. Why did I ever wear this crazy outfit?

SALLY:

Come on, let's go on in.

CECIL:

Don't ring the bell, Sally. Don't, now. Let's--let's... Let's look in the window and see if anybody's here yet.

SALLY:

Of course, everybody's here. We're hours late.

CECIL:

(NERVOUS LAUGH) O-oh gee. I hate to go in.

SALLY:

What are you afraid of?

CECIL:

Who's afraid?

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) Oh, Cecil, you're acting like a bashful girl. (GIGGLE)

CECIL:

Sally... I don't know any of this bunch. You go on in, and I'll wait out here. I'll go sit in the car.

SALLY:

Now, Cecil, don't be a coward. Let's go on in. We're late now.

CECIL:

Well... W-wait. L-let's talk this over. Oh, Sally, I'd rather die than go in there.

SALLY:

Don't ever say that I act like a baby.

CECIL:

Ohh... I feel so darn silly with this dress on. Lemme take it off.

SALLY:

I should say not. You ought to be ashamed of yourself!

CECIL:

Who-- Oh, who's in the hall, do you think?

SALLY:

I don't know. Let's ring the bell and find out, when they open the door.

CECIL:

No, Sally! No, no! No! Don't... please don't.

SALLY:

But we have to go in.

CECIL:

Oh, do we, do we have to? Can't I take you home?

SALLY:

No. I should say not. After going to all this trouble to dress up? I'm going to ring the bell.

CECIL:

Oh, Sally, p-please wait a minute; please wait.

SALLY:

My goodness, where IS the bell? I can't find it.

CECIL:

(VOICE CRACKS) They haven't got one, Sally. (CRACKS AGAIN) We better go home.

SALLY:

I don't see why they didn't put the porch-light on, so we could see something.

CECIL:

(BEAT) Th-they're not expecting us. We better not go in if they're not expecting us. That wouldn't be polite. That would be un-polite.

SALLY:

Well, I guess I'll have to knock. I can't find the doorbell.

CECIL:

Don't knock. W-wait a minute.

SALLY:

Of course I'm going to knock.

CECIL:

(VOICE CRACKS) If you do, I'm gonna run. Wait til I get some courage.

SALLY:

Oh, you make me sick.

CECIL:

(WEAKLY) You're not half as sick as I am. I have the funniest feeling in my stomach.

SALLY:

Cecil, if you were going to act this way, why in the world did you let me fix you up to masquerade as a girl?

CECIL:

I'm beginning to wonder, myself!

SALLY:

Why, you look perfect!

CECIL:

Well, I don't feel that way.

SALLY:

Poor Cecil. (PATTING HIS SHOULDER) I'm sorry. I guess you don't feel quite at home.

CECIL:

Don't pat me! I'm not a puppy!

SALLY:

Don't be so touchy. Look at me. I'm not nervous.

CECIL:

You've got more clothes on than I have.

SALLY:

Cecil, you might as well make up your mind. We've been invited to this party, and we're going in.

CECIL:

(MOANING) Ohhhhh... Please. Just a minute. Don't knock on that door! Oh, wait.

SALLY:

Whattayou wanna wait for?

CECIL:

(BEAT) D-do I look awful silly?

SALLY:

I tell you, you look beautiful! Honest.

CECIL:

I wish you wouldn't say that!

SALLY:

Cecil, we can't stay out here on this porch, all night.

CECIL:

We could stay out here until the party's over.

SALLY:

(SARCASTIC) Well, that would be a lot of sense, wouldn't it?

CECIL:

I guess, maybe so.

SALLY:

What in the world is the matter with you? Have you got stage-fright? Stop standing on your feet!

CECIL:

What else could I stand on?

SALLY:

I mean, stop standing on ONE foot.

CECIL:

(MOANING) Ohhhh, Sally. I'd give a million dollars if I were home in bed.

SALLY:

You haven't got a million dollars. (GIGGLE)

CECIL:

Well, I haven't got nerve enough to go in there, either.

SALLY:

But, Cecil, there's nothing to be afraid of.

CECIL:

Ha! You funny person.

SALLY:

Well, there isn't. ("BE REASONABLE")Come on, let's knock on the door.

CECIL:

It's a wonder they couldn't hear my knees knocking.

SALLY:

Cecil, you're a big baby! You're a coward!

CECIL:

(POUTING) Who's a coward?

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) YOU are. Aw, baby, is it afraidee?

CECIL:

All right. Now, just wait. Just wait.

SALLY:

That's what I'm doing. Shall I knock on the door?

CECIL:

(BEAT) S-sure. No, no! Don't!

SFX:

SHE KNOCKS ON DOOR

CECIL:

Ohhhh, Sally!

SALLY:

Now, stay where you are, Cecil.

CECIL:

Oh, couldn't you have waited a minute?

SALLY:

We've waited too long now. Here. (GIGGLE) I'll hold your hand.

CECIL:

Let go. I'm no baby. Ohhhh, gee...

SALLY:

(GIGGLE)

CECIL:

Oh, golly...

SALLY:

What are you panting about?

CECIL:

(BEAT) There's nobody home, Sally. Let's go.

SALLY:

Oh, of course there is! Can't you hear them making a noise?

SFX:

SHE KNOCKS AGAIN

CECIL:

Don't do that!

SALLY:

Don't do WHAT, Cecil?

CECIL:

(BEAT) Don't knock unless you tell me. You make me jump.

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) Here. I hear someone coming now.

CECIL:

How do I hold my hands, Sally? Oh, I wish I had some pockets.

SALLY:

Put them where--

SFX:

DOOR OPENS

SALLY:

Oh, hello! It's us.

FLOSSIE:

Oh, hello, Sally! Come on in. I'm awfully glad you could come!

SALLY:

Oh, it was so nice of you to ask us! (GIGGLE) Oh, don't you look nice! A gypsy! Well, where did you get it?

FLOSSIE:

Mother made it for me. Oh, Sally! What a cute idea for a costume! An angel! Oh, look at the wings! That's clever! Who thought of it?

SALLY:

Cecil. Oh, yes. I-I want you to meet-- (NOTICES) Well, goodness, where IS Cecil?

FLOSSIE:

Who is Cecil?

SALLY:

Oh, goodness! Open the door, quick! He didn't follow us in!

SFX:

DOOR OPENS

SALLY:

Oh! (GIGGLE) There you are, Cecil! Why didn't you come on in?

CECIL:

(BEAT. MISERABLY) You didn't tell me to.

SALLY:

Flossie, this is Cecil. (GIGGLE)

FLOSSIE:

Oh, how do you do?

CECIL:

(UNEASY) Ver-very well, thank you.

SALLY:

Cecil didn't want to come to the party, dressed as a girl. (GIGGLE) Don't you think he makes a nice girl, Flossie?

FLOSSIE:

Oh, I should say so! You're a wow, Cecil!

SALLY:

(TO CECIL) See? I told you so. Now, are you satisfied, Cecil?

CECIL:

(MISERABLY) Is the party nearly over?

FLOSSIE:

Oh, no. It's really just beginning. Everyone has on the cutest costumes! Oh, Cecil, you go right in that room to the left. Sally, you come on with me.

CECIL:

Uh, wait. What-what's in the that room?

FLOSSIE:

That's where the boys are putting their coats. The girls are all in this other room. Come on, Sally.

CECIL:

I didn't wear a coat. W-we neither of us did.

FLOSSIE:

Oh, that's all right. All the boys are in there. We'll all go into the other room in a minute.

CECIL:

Uh, Sally... (WEAKLY) Wait a minute, please?

SALLY:

Just a minute, Flossie. (TAKES HIM ASIDE) What is it, Cecil?

CECIL:

L-let me go with you, Sally. Please. A-as a special favour?

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) Why, Cecil, you can't go with me. There's nothing in there but girls.

CECIL:

(BEAT) I'm dressed like a girl. They won't know the difference.

SALLY:

Now, don't be silly. You go on in there with the boys, and we'll be down in just a minute.

CECIL:

Oh, Sally. I can't. With these clothes on? Ohhh, they'll razz me to death.

SALLY:

(CALLING) Just a minute, Flossie. (QUIETLY) Now, Cecil, please don't act like this.

CECIL:

Sally... I wouldn't desert YOU, in YOUR moment of need. Honest, I wouldn't.

SALLY:

Well, you don't need anything. Goodness, what'sa matter with your backbone?

CECIL:

Ohhh, I don't know. It's frozen. Please, Sally.

SALLY:

Cecil, Flossie is waiting for me at the foot of the stairs.

CECIL:

(MISERABLY) Sally, I wouldn't be this mean to a pup or something.

SALLY:

Cecil, I have to go. Now, I'll be right back. Go on in.

CECIL:

Oh, all right. All right. All right. And if anything happens, don't blame me.

SALLY:

Well, what COULD happen? Just go up on in there with the other boys, like nothing was wrong. You're just self-conscious.

CECIL:

Well, I warn ya now; I warn ya. Don't blame me if anything happens.

SALLY:

Cecil, what COULD happen?

CECIL:

If any o' those wise alecks make any smart cracks about me dressed as a girl, well, well...

SALLY:

Cecil, they don't know you. I'll be out in just a minute, and I'll introduce you.

CECIL:

Oh, please, Sally... (STEELS HIMSELF) All right. All right. You'll be sorry. (FADING OFF-MIKE) Just you wait and see, now.

SALLY:

G'bye, Cecil. I'll see you in just a few minutes. (GIGGLE. TAKES FLOSSIE'S ARM, AND THEY START UP THE STAIRS)

FLOSSIE:

What was the matter with your friend, Sally?

SALLY:

Oh, nothing. (NERVOUS LAUGH) He's kinda funny. He's awfully nice, though.

FLOSSIE:

He LOOKS like a nice fellow. What was the secret?

SALLY:

Oh, nothing. (GIGGLE) Oh, Cecil, he's very nice. He's so thoughtful and gentle.

FLOSSIE:

That's nice. I hate loud, noisy people; don't you?

SALLY:

Oh, Cecil is so quiet, you'd never know he's here.

FLOSSIE:

That's fine! This way, Sally.

SALLY:

Oh, yes. He never makes a disturbance like some other boys I know, and, uh--

SFX:

SUDDEN COMMOTION FROM BOYS' ROOM, UNDER

FLOSSIE:

Wait a minute, Sally! What in the world is going on down there, with the boys?!

SALLY:

Goodness! It sounds like someone is being murdered!

FLOSSIE:

Quick, Sally! Run downstairs! It's the boy YOU came with! Stop them! It's a battle! Oh, dear!

SALLY:

(RUNNING DOWNSTAIRS) Cecil! Ce-cil! Stop it; do you hear me? Stop fighting! What's the matter? Are you crazy? Cecil! (FADING) Just wait. Oh, goodness...