14 Aug 2015

PROMPT:  hesitancy in the voice. a slip of the tongue. cold feet. a new marriage and a teasing sun.

Caridad Svich, playwright, translator, songwriter, lyricist and editor

Bert, newly wed, and his bride, Frida, are in bed, under the covers, together.
BERT
(jerking away from Frida)
Jeez, you’re feet are cold!
FRIDA
(moving toward Bert, sexy voice)
Cold feet, warm...
BERT
Frida, think of the children!
FRIDA
Children?!  We’ve only been married two weeks.  We don’t have any children.
BERT
It’s a joke and God willing we won’t have...
FRIDA
Bert!  We talked about this!  We decided we weren’t going to wait.
BERT
(muttering)
You decided.
FRIDA
I can’t believe you.
BERT
(knowing he’s in trouble)
I didn’t mean that.  It was just... a slip of the tongue.
FRIDA
That was no slip!  You told me before the ceremony that you were ready have kids!
BERT
(hesitant)
I... I... know.
FRIDA
You didn’t mean it?!
BERT
I... I thought you’d back out.
Silence.
FRIDA
(cold anger)
I’m nearly thirty, Bert.
(lifting up the covers for Bert to see her body)
This look like a refrigerator to you?!
BERT
(feeling some lust)
No.
Dropping the covers.
FRIDA
You’re damn right it’s no refrigerator and my eggs aren’t going to stay fresh forever.
Bert lifts up the covers for another lustful look.
BERT
That may not be a refrigerator, but that’s one fine vegetable crisper you got there.
Bert reaches for Frida’s goodies.  Frida slams the covers down, halting Bert’s progress.
FRIDA
The sun still up and peeking through the curtains!
BERT
The sun’s always up at this time of year, here!  You’re the June bride who want to see Stockholm on her honeymoon.
FRIDA
Well at least close the curtains tight!
BERT
We’re on the forty floor and the pigeons aren’t going to watch.
FRIDA
And we’re having a fight!
BERT
(almost happy)
Our first one!
FRIDA
Well there ain’t going to be no make-up sex till you agree that we can start trying to make babies.
BERT
(lusty)
Can we start right now?!
Bert rolls over and clutches Frida.  Frida relents, but then Bert rolls away, letting go of Frida.
BERT
Jeez, you got cold feet!
End of play.