Women’s monologues

1. SHEILA from A Chorus Line

My mother … my mother was raised like a little nun. She couldn’t go out – she couldn’t even babysit. But she wanted to be a dancer and she had all these scholarships and all that. And when she got married, my father made her give it up. Isn’t this exciting? And then she had this daughter – me – and she made her what she wanted to be. And she was fabulous the way she did it … do you want to know how she did it? Well, first, she took me to see all the ballets. And then, she gave me her old toe shoes – which I used to run down the sidewalk in – on my toes. And then I saw The Red Shoes – and I wanted to be that lady, that redhead. And then, when she saw I really had to dance, she said, “You can’t do it until you’re eight.” Well by then, I was only six … and I said, “But I’ve GOT to dance.” I mean, anything to get out of the house.

2. SOPHIE from The Star-Spangled Girl

Excuse me. I have tried to be neighborly. I have tried to be friendly and I have tried to be cordial. I don’t know what it is you’re trying to be. I cannot accept gifts from a boy I hardly know. Especially canned goods. And I read your little note. I can get the gist of it even though I don’t speak Italian. This has got to stop. I can do very well without you leaving little chocolate-almond Hershey bars in my mailbox – they melted yesterday, and now we’ve got three gooey letters with nuts in them. And I can do without you tying big bottles of perfume to my cat’s tail. The poor thing kept swishing it yesterday and nearly beat herself to death. And most of all, I can certainly do without you watching me get on the bus every day through that high-powered telescope. You got me so nervous the other day, I got on the wrong bus. In short, and I don’t want to have to say this again, leave me a-lone!

3. CHRISTINE COLGATE from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Do you really think the therapy is working? That's wonderful. I'm sorry about the delay in paying your fee. I should have it by tomorrow; it just took longer than I thought to raise the money. The cash prize wasn't quite enough, so I had my father sell off the car, the furniture, and all the jewelry they gave me. (see confusion on Lawrence’s face) The Cash prize from the contest…. You know, I was selected as the American Soap Queen. That's how I'm on this all-expense-paid trip to Europe. No I am not really a soap queen, I just use their laundry detergent. I never expected to win but they said they really liked the way I rhymed 'cleansing cream' with 'fencing team. I really admire Sergeant Benson and want to do whatever I can to help him, But I am not selling everything I own. They gave me a year's supply of fabric softener, too. I'm keeping that. Well... goodnight

4. MURIEL UEBANKS from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Oh Hello, can you help me, I have spent the last five days trying to find the Prince's country on the map. Is it to the right or the left of the Alps? Oh. Anyway, I thought as long as I'm here I should pitch in. I'm a docent at our museum back home and minored in Art History, so I know a lot about these places….Or I just make it up. (as three more tourists enter, Muriel points to a painting) May I call your attention to the Rapture of Louise LeBoeuf. Following a brief career as a Gregorian Chanteuse, this poor peasant girl married the CEO of a major pharmaceutical company, and after eighteen years of devotion caught him with a dental hygienist half his age. Praying for guidance, she took him to the cleaners, had some work done, and voila! No It’s not her story it's mine, but that story works in every century ... Did His Highness receive my scarf? You know, I've been searching the papers, but there's not so much as a mention of the revolution…. If you'd like I can talk to some of the other women around town, rally the troops. You know I'm in charge of snacks for our neighborhood watch and telemarketing coach for our local PBS fund drive

5. GENERAL CARTWRIGHT (woman in charge of mission) from Guys and Dolls

(speaking to Sky,–she starts as if you’d think she was going to be outraged but then is thrilled at the idea of it all)Why Mister Masterson – are you saying that all these men are here because of gambling?! … Are you saying that you bet everyone here a roll of the dice against their souls?! … Are you saying that they all took your bet and you won their souls with a single roll of your dice?! … (pause as if contemplating it all) …well, - Mister Masterson … that’s WONDERFUL ! How extraordinary that the evils of gambling would bring so many sinners into our mission. Mister Masterson, - I thank you! (to Sarah) Sister Sarah, - I suggest you do the same.

6. MISS ADELAIDE from Guys and Dolls

(on the phone, she’s upset he’s breaking another date and she sounds like she has a bad cold)Nathan, how can you expect me to believe what you’re sayin’, Nathan – it just don’t make any sense. How could you do it to me again, Nathan – I waited for 2 hours at the Hot Box Club! Mimsy and all the girls had dates and I was left there, all by myself with nothing but this book the doctor gave me. (*sneeze*) “haCHOOOO”! Ya see, he thinks my cold is all in my head – that its all because of psychology … (pause as if to hear Nathan say ‘that’s ridiculous’) … no its not, Nathan! Ya gotta hear what it says … (pause as if to hear him say ‘I gotta go, l’ll call ya later’) … ok, Nathan – call me later

7. SARAH BROWN from Guys and Dolls

(speaking to Sky Masterson, building in anger so start calm and work from there) Mister Masterson! I’ll have you know that I am not the kind of ‘doll’ that runs off to Havana just to fill the mission with sinners. I am not the kind of ‘doll’ that can be seduced by a gambler. And I am not the kind of ‘doll’ that will help you win your bet with Nathan Detroit. (pause) You want to know what kind of a ‘doll’ I am ?!? (pause) I’m a Mission ‘doll’! And I don’t care if General Cartwright closes it all down, - I will NOT be lured by your lies ever again!! (pause, regain composure and return to calm) Good bye, Mister Masterson.

8. MISS ADELAIDE from Guys and Dolls

Besides, Nathan, I don't know what to do any more about Mother. (Pause)- This is something I haven't told you, but my mother, back in Rhode Island,she thinks that...that we are already married. (Pause)Maybe because I wrote her that we were already married.- In Rhode Island people do not remain engaged for years.- They get married. Furthermore, after about two years..(stalling) - - I wrote that we had a baby. I had to, Nathan. Mother kept after me and after me and finally I just ran out of excuses. (Pause as she sees him getting angry and tries to soothe him) It was a boy. I named it after you, Nathan. He's in boarding school now. As a matter of fact, I wrote Mother that he won the football game last Saturday.But, Nathan...That isn't all. We also have an Adelaide Junior. (Pause)All these years, Nathan. Mother believes in big families, and...And we had such an early start. (Pause)The grand total? (sheepishly)- Five.

9. ANNIE OAKLEY from Annie Get Your Gun

Shore, I'll talk to him. I'll say: "What do ye want here, ye big swollen-headed stiff? Git!" Then he'll say: "I jes' come out to meet you, honey." Then I'll say: "I don't want to git met by you- git away from me! Take yer hands off'n me! I hate you!" Then he'll say: "Now, honey..." Then I'll say: "Don't 'honey' me! You thought I double-crossed you- thought I was tryin' to show ye up!" Then I'll continue: "When ye did find out that I only done the trick to make ye love me, why didn't ye love me? Why did ye leave? Why didn't ye write?" Then he'll say: "'Cause I was 'shamed -'sides not writin' don't mean somebody don't love somebody!" [starts to soften]Then I'll say: "Jes' the same, ye could write." Then he'll say: "Honey, I been eatin' my heart out fer you. Cain't work, cain't sleep." [becomes softer] 'Course if'n he says that, I'm gonna hafter say: "I ain't slept much, too..." [slower- and hoping] Then, by rights he oughta say: "Annie, we both jes' gotta git some sleep... And I love ye so." Then I guess I won't be able to stop myself from sayin' "I love ye, too!" [now she is completely soft] Then there won't be nuthin' lef' her him to say but - "Annie!"

10. KITTY from The Drowsy Chaperone

Mr. Feldzieg just has to give me a shot at being the leading lady. I mean, he is putting gangsters in the show and not me, I don’t understand it. He said it himself -I'm useless in the chorus. I been taking lessons just to be sure; Singing. Acting. Ballet. Yeah. I'm pretty good too. Last week I auditioned for Swanee Lake. I've also been working on a Mind Reading act. Presenting "Kitty, the Incomprehensible." (speaking to audience) I’ll prove it to you… Now, think of something. (closing her eyes and concentrating) Wait! I'm getting it... "pick up some milk ... and a loaf of rye bread ... and don't forget to shave your legs." (she opens her eyes with a confused look, she slaps her head) Oh… I am reading my own mind, how silly! No wonder it was so easy.

11. JANET VAN DE GRAAFF from The Drowsy Chaperone

Yes. Robert and I met on the lido deck of the Ile de France. He amused me with stories of his father's oil interests. We spooned, briefly, and then he proposed. So, I won't be returning to the stage. Ever. In a few hours I'm going to be Mrs. Robert Martin. Oh, my head is spinning. I'm so full of apprehension, but I suppose that's normal, considering the circumstances. Have you ever been married, Chaperone? No, don’t answer… I know it seems crazy to give up a successful career to marry a man I hardly know, but somehow, for some reason when I look into his eyes ... his big, monkey eyes ... ah gee ... I get all woozy. And that's love isn't it? I suppose I'm just looking for a sympathetic ear or anything that pertains to my situation. Really you're not being the least bit helpful Chaperone. Couldn't you at least allay my fears with a few choice words of inspiration? I'm so conflicted. Oh. Please. Just tell me. Is Robert the man for me?

12. THE DROWSY CHAPERONE(Female) from The Drowsy Chaperone

(Being philosophical) Yes, marriage, like life, is a mad whirlwind. No I have never married, I drink for pleasure, not out of necessity. Your woozy with love? ha, Not necessarily. The wooziness could be caused by any number of things. I mean, I'm woozy right now and I'm certainly not in love. Inspiration? Really, dear, that's not my forte. They are your feelings and something you'll have to decide for yourself. If you are that worried why don't you ask him? Why don't you say, "Roger, do you love me?" Now I know you shouldn’t see the groom before the wedding and as the Chaperone that is my job and I take the responsibility very seriously. However, I'm just this moment feeling terribly, terribly drowsy. I'm afraid I have to have a lie-de-down. Now whatever you do, don't go wandering through the garden seeking out your finance to ask him the question upon which your future happiness depends. (she watches her leave) Such a skinny little fool. Still, I envy her. Oh, when will love come crashing though my door?

13. MABEL from An Ideal HusbandWell, Tommy has proposed to me again. Tommy really does nothing but propose to me. he proposed to me last night in the Music room, when I was quite unprotected, as there was an elaborate trio going on. I didn't dare to make the smallest repartee, I need hardly tell you. If I had, it would have stopped the music at once. Musical people are so absurdly unreasonable. They always want one to be perfectly dumb at the very moment when one is longing to be absolutely deaf. Then he proposed to me in broad daylight this morning, in front of that dreadful statue of Achilles. Really, the things that go on in front of that work of art are quite appalling. The police should interfere. At luncheon I saw by the glare in his eyes that he was going to propose again, and I just managed to check him in time by assuring him that I was a bimetallist. Fortunately I don't know what bimetallism means. And I don't believe anybody else does either. But the observation crushed Tommy for ten minutes. He looked quite shocked.And then Tommy is so annoying in the way he proposes. If he proposed at the top of his voice, I should not mind so much. That might produce some effect on the public. But he does it in a horrid confidential way. When Tommy wants to be romantic he talks to one just like a doctor. I am very fond of Tommy, but his methods of proposing are quite out of date. I wish, Gertrude, you would speak to him, and tell him that once a week is quite often enough to propose to any one, and that it should always be done in a matter that attracts some attention.

14. DEBBIE WASTBA from The Primary English Class

(first night of an English class for adults who speak another language) (Rummages through stack of papers on desk, holds up lesson plan.) This is our lesson plan. (Slowing it down)That’s lesson…plan. Lesson plan. We’re going to be together for several hours and I thought it would be highly professional and competent for me to make a plan. And I did. And here it is: (She reads, smiling confidently.) One. A pleasant welcome and normal chatter. For two, I’ve planned your basic salutation, such as the goods- good morning, good afternoon, good night, good luck, and good grief. (She laughs.) That was a mildly amusing joke: "good grief." Later in the night- after we’ve learned a bit of English- you’ll be able to, well, get the joke. (Pauses.) Let’s move along. Three will be basic customs: ours here. (Reading again.) Four will be a short history of our English language. (As the students take their notes, they, as we, begin to realize that Debbie is only writing the numbers one through six on the blackboard- no words. They raise their hands in question, but she waves them away, barging ahead.) Five will be the primary lesson on the primary English class, according to the book. And six will be the very essential verb "to be." At some point, we shall also inspect the very basic concept of silence. (Smiles.) Now then, as you can see, there are only six points to cover and hours and hours ahead in which to cover them. (All stare blankly at her smiling face.) Now then: Questions?15. Character name: Mrs. Arbuthnot (Rachel)

Age Range: 40 — 60Show: A Woman of No Importance

I will never stand before God's altar and ask God's blessing on so hideous a mockery as a marriage between me and George Harford. I will not say the words the Church bids us to say. I will not say them. How could I swear to love the man I loathe, to honour him who wrought you dishonor, to obey him who, in his mastery, made me to sin? No; marriage is a sacrament for those who love each other. It is not for such as him, or such as me. Gerald, to save you from the world's sneers and taunts I have lied to the world. For twenty years I have lied to the world. I could not tell the truth. No, Gerald, no ceremony, Church-hallowed or State-made, shall ever bind me to George Harford. [Pause.] Men don't understand what mothers are. I am no different from other women except in the wrong done me and the wrong I did, and my very heavy punishments and great disgrace. And yet, to bear you I had to look on death. To nurture you I had to wrestle with it. Death fought with me for you. All women have to fight with death to keep their children. Death, being childless, wants our children from us. Gerald, when you were naked I clothed you, when you were hungry I gave you food. Night and day all that long winter I tended you. No office is too mean, no care too lowly for the thing we women love--and oh! how I loved you! And you needed love, for you were weakly, and only love could have kept you alive. Only love can keep any one alive. And boys are careless often, and without thinking give pain, and we always fancy that when they come to man's estate and know us better they will repay us. But it is not so. The world draws them from our side, and they make friends with whom they are happier than they are with us, and have amusements from which we are barred, and interests that are not ours; and they are unjust to us often, for when they find life bitter they blame us for it, and when they find it sweet we do not taste its sweetness with them. . . . You made many friends and went into their houses and were glad with them, and I, knowing my secret, did not dare to follow, but stayed at home and closed the door, shut out the sun and sat in darkness. My past was ever with me. . . . And you thought I didn't care for the pleasant things of life. I tell you I longed for them, but did not dare to touch them, feeling I had no right. You thought I was happier working amongst the poor. That was my mission, you imagined. It was not, but where else was I to go? The sick do not ask if the hand that smooths their pillow is pure, nor the dying care if the lips that touch their brow have known the kiss of sin. It was you I thought of all the time; I gave to them the love you did not need; lavished on them a love that was not theirs. . . . And you thought I spent too much of my time in going to Church, and in Church duties. But where else could I turn? God's house is the only house where sinners are made welcome, and you were always in my heart, Gerald, too much in my heart. For though day after day, at morn or evensong, I have knelt in God's house, I never repented of my sin. How could I repent of my sin when you, my love, were its fruit. Even now that you are bitter to me I cannot repent. I do not. You are more to me than innocence. I would rather be your mother--oh! much rather!--than have been always pure. . . . Oh, don't you see? don't you understand! It is my dishonour that has made you so dear to me. It is my disgrace that has bound you so closely to

me. It is the price I paid for you--the price of soul and body--that makes me love you as I do. Oh, don't ask me to do this horrible thing. Child of my shame, be still!

16. MAGGIE CUTLER from The Man Who Came to Dinner (Sheriden Whiteside’s smart, witty secretary who is at the end of her rope with him. Here is her response to the speech above. She is one of the only people who can stand up to Whiteside.)

Now listen to me, Whiteside. I know you. Lay off. I know what a devil you can be. I’ve seen you do it to other people, but don’t you dare do it to me. Don’t drug yourself into the idea that all you’re thinking of is my happiness. You’re thinking of yourself a little bit, too, and all those months of breaking in somebody new. I’ve seen you in a passion when your life has been disrupted. Well that’s too bad, but there it is. I’m going to marry Bert if he’ll have me, so don’t you dare try any of your tricks. I’m on to every one of them. That’s my message to you, Big Lord Fauntleroy.

17. MAGGIE CUTLER from The Man Who Came to Dinner (Maggie has just learned that Whiteside has gone behind her back to sabotage her relationship with Bert Jefferson. She can’t believe how he has treated her, and ruined her chance to be happy, just because of his own selfishness.)

You know, you’re quite wonderful, Sherry, in a way. You’re annoyed! I wish there was a laugh left in me. Shall I tell you something, Sherry? I think you are a selfish, petty egomaniac who would see his own mother burned at the stake if that was the only way he could light his cigarette. I think you’d sacrifice your best friend without a moment’s hesitation if he disturbed the sacred routine of your self-centered, paltry little life. I think you are incapable of any human emotion that goes higher up than your stomach, and I was the fool of the world for ever thinking I could trust you.

18. ISABELLE GROSSMAN from Crossing Delancey(a young woman who works in an independent bookstore in New York City. Educated, dreamy)

(Answering phone) New Day Books -- Yes, what’s the name? -- Oh, hi. Yes, just a minute, let me check -- (She holds the phone to her chest.) It’s Tyler Moss! You think you’ve never heard of him, but you have -- FREEFALL, CONFESSIONS OF A CAVE DWELLER, SKIRT TALES -- I’ve got them all. First editions. Signed. -- I even have a videotape of his appearance on “Book Ends”. Remember “Book Ends”? Back in ‘83 -- with Rupert Clark? On Channel 13? Rupert asks Tyler what his work routine is like, and Tyler says, “The only thing I do routinely is breathe.” -- He comes into the shop here a couple of times a week to buy some specialty periodicals and to check the sales on his books. --- We’ve never had much conversation. Nothing more than the

grim numbers on his sales -- I don’t know why his last book never moved, but I usually have to say we’re well stocked. That’s how I put it. So there isn’t much chance for me to open things up… but there is this…. undercurrent. I can feel it. He gives it away with his eyes. They’re grey blue and very very smokey and mysterious. When I hand him back his change and he looks down to count it -- I give each of his eyelids a secret kiss. (She brings the phone back to her ear.) No, I’m sorry -- it’s not in yet. Should be here by Wednesday. At the very latest. I’ll save one for you. -- Anytime, Mr. Moss. Just ask for Isabelle - Right.

19.QUEEN AGGRAVAIN from Once Upon a Mattress

Well then how can you say such a thing, I want you to get married, how many times have I said to you I want you to get married. Only this morning I was saying to your father: I said Sextimus, I want that boy to get married, it just isn't normal for a boy that age to stay single I said after all he is a prince, don't forget that, and he is next in line for the throne. I mean we're not exactly the oldest people in the world but on the other hand we're not going to live forever and I would just feel much better, much easier, and much more relaxed in my mind if I knew that that boy were married, settled and set and that's absolutely verbatim, exactly what I said to your father this morning. Of course he didn't say anything, he never does, but you know him just as well as I do and I don't have to tell you how impossible he is. If he makes me miserable and makes me suffer then I'll just have to put up with it, but I will not allow it to effect my son's attitude toward him or me. He may be a mean, stupid, dreadful, selfish, rotten man, but he is your father and I want you to respect him. After all there is only one person who really cares about you and really worries about your health, your happiness and your future and that's exactly what I'm talking about right now, your future and I want to make myself absolutely clear that I want you to get married, but I don't want you to marry just anyone. Marriage is a lifetime partnership and I wouldn't want my little boy to make the same mistake I did and wind up miserable the way I did. You are a prince, and you must marry someone suitable, someone who's good enough, smart enough, and fine enough for my good, nice, sweet, beautiful baby boy. And of course she has to be a princess, I mean a real princess. A genuine bonafide princess, just as I was. And that is what you want, isn't it? Someone like me? Of course you do. Oh God if I were only twenty years younger. Just remember this, you must trust me.

20. Meg from Crimes of the Heartwritten by Beth Henley(Meg is heard singing a loud happy song. she suddenly enters through the dining room door. she is exuberant! her hair is a mess, and the heel of one shoe has broken off. she is laughing radiantly and limping as she sings into the broken heel.)Meg: Good morning! Good morning! Oh, it's a wonderful morning! I tell you, I am surprised I feel this good. I should feel like hell. By all accounts, I should feel like utter hell! Oh, I know, you're mad at me 'cause I stayed out all night long. Well, I did. Oh, Lenny, listen to me, now;

everything's all right with Doc. I mean, nothing happened. Well, actually a lot did happen, but it didn't come to anything. Not because of me, I'm afraid. I mean, I was out there thinking, What will I say when he begs me to run away with him? Will I have pit on his wife and those two half-Yankee children? I mean, can I sacrifice their happiness for mine? YES! Oh, yes! Yes, I can! But...he didn't ask me. He didn't even want to ask me. I could tell by this certain look in his eyes that he didn't even want to ask me. Why aren't I miserable! Why aren't I morbid! I should be humiliated! Devastated! Maybe these feelings are coming - I don't know. But for now it was......just such fun. I'm happy. I realized I could care about someone. I could want someone. And I sang! I sang all night long! I sang right up into the trees! But not for Old Granddaddy. None of it was to please old Granddaddy! Oh, I know; I know. I told him all those stupid lies. Well, I'm gonna go right over there this morning and tell him the truth. I mean every horrible thing. I don't care if he wants to hear it or not. He's just gonna have to take me like I am. And if he can't take it, if it sends him into a coma, that's just too damn bad. What's so funny? He's in a coma! That's not funny!

21. Rose from the play "Street Scene"written by Elmer Rice

Rose: Well, I haven't really had any time to do much thinking. But I really think the best thing I could do, would be to get out of New York. You know, like we were saying, this morning - how things might be different, if you only had a chance to breathe and spread out a little. Only when I said it, I never dreamt it would ever be this way.I like you so much, Sam. I like you better than anybody I know. It would be so nice to be with you. You're different from anybody I know. But I'm just wondering how it would work out.There's lots of things to be considered. Suppose something was to happen - well, suppose I was to have a baby, say. That sometimes happens even when you don't want it to. What would we do then? We'd be tied down then, for life, just like all the other people around here. They all start out loving each other and thinking everything is going to be fine - and before you know it, they find out they haven't a got anything and they wish they could do it all over again - only it's too late.It's what you said just now - about people belonging to each other. I don't think people ought to belong to anybody but themselves. I was thinking, that if my mother had really belonged to herself, and that if my father had really belonged to himself, it never would have happened. It was only because they were always depending on somebody else, for what they ought to have had inside themselves. Do you see what I mean, Sam? That's why I don't want to belong to anybody, and why I don't want anybody to belong to me.I want love more than anything else in the world. But loving and belonging aren't the same thing. Sam, dear, listen. If we say good bye now, it doesn't mean that it has to be forever. maybe someday, when we're older and wiser, things will be different. don't look as if it was the end of the world, Sam!It isn't, Sam! If you'd only believe in yourself, a little more, things wouldn't look nearly so bad.

because once you're sure of yourself, the things that happen to you, aren't so important. The way I look at it, it's not what you do that matters so much; it's what you are. I'm so fond of you, Sam. And I've got such a lot of confidence in you. Give me a nice kiss!

22. Antigone by Sophocles[This play centers around the struggle of an individuals’ feelings of justice and morality against laws that have been proclaimed just by another individual (the new King). Antigone is the rebel of the play and erupts when her sister asks her to try to understand the new “laws”.]

(Antigone:) Understand! The first word I ever heard out of any of you was that word “understand”! Why didn’t I “understand” that I must not play with water…cold, black, beautiful flowing water…because I’d spill it on the palace tiles. Or with earth, because earth dirties a little girl’s frock. Why didn’t I “understand” that nice children don’t eat out of every dish at once, or give everything in their pockets to beggars; or run in the wind so fast that they fall down; or ask for a drink when they are perspiring; or want to go swimming when it’s either too early or too late, merely because they happen to feel like swimming. Understand! I don’t want to understand. There’ll be time enough to understand when I’m old… If I ever am old. But not now. I want to go on living.

23. RUTH SHERWOOD from “Wonderful Town” (Ruth is a young, talented, clever writer living in New York City with her sister. Has just been told she must move back to Ohio and is not willing to give up the freedom and experience she’s gained. She is talking to her sister, Eileen Sherwood.) RUTH: If we go back to Columbus, you know what they'll say? 'Did you hear the dirt about the Sherwood girls? On account of them we almost lost a naval base in Brazil.' Well, I'm not going back! Not now -- not when I'm just beginning to find something out about myself! I think differently -- I feel differently. I am stronger than ever -- as though I really know myself for the first time! That's why I'd hate to go back. I may never feel this way again!

24. Antonia from “Man of La Mancha”Yes, I have heard. My dear uncle is the laughing-stock of the entire neighborhood. Please don't be mad, we must do something about him! There is a certain embarrassment at having a madman in the family. Oh Sanson. I had hoped for so much for us. For you, really. Everything was to be for you. My uncle's house... his lands... I mean, if one is to serve science, one must have the means. But maybe you can consider it a challenge. Think what cleverness it would take to wean my uncle from madness. To turn him from his course and persuade him to return home. Please we must hurry he can't have gotten far.

25. Anne (From The Diary of Anne Frank)ANNE: Look, Peter, the sky. (She looks up through the skylight) What a lovely, lovely day! Aren’t the clouds beautiful? You know what I do when it seems as if I couldn’t stand being

cooped up for one more minute? I think myself out. I think myself on a walk in the park where I used to go with Pim. Where the jonquils and the crocus and the violets grow down the slopes. You know the most wonderful part about thinking yourself out? You can have it any way you like. You can have roses and violets and chrysanthemums all blooming at the same time... It’s funny...I used to take it all for granted... and now I’ve gone crazy about everything to do with nature. Haven’t you?

26. Sarah Browne from Guys and Dolls)Brothers and sisters, resist the Devil and he will flee from you. That is what the Bible tells us. And that is why I am standing here, in the Devil's own city, on the Devil's own street, prepared to do battle with the forces of evil. Hear me, you gamblers! With your dice, your cards, your horses! Pause and think before it is too late! You are in great danger! I am not speaking of the prison and the gallows, but of the greater punishment that awaits you! Repent before it is too late! Just around the corner is out little mission where you are always welcome to seek refuge from this jungle of sin. Come here and talk to me. Do not think of me as Sergeant Sarah Brown, but as Sarah Brown, your sister. Join me, Brothers and Sisters, in resisting the Devil, and we can put him to flight forever.

27. Beneatha Younger from “A Raisin in the Sun”When I was very small...we used to take our sleds out in the wintertime and the only hills we had were the ice covered stone steps of some houses down the street.  And we used to fill them in with snow and make them smooth and slide down them all day...and it was very dangerous you know...far too steep...and sure enough one day a kid named Rufus came down too fast and hit the sidewalk...and we saw his face just split open right there in front of us...and I remember standing there looking at his bloody open face thinking that was the end of Rufus.  But the ambulance came and they took him to the hospital and they fixed the broken bones and they sewed it all up...and the next time I saw Rufus he just had a little line down the middle of his face...I never got over that...[(WALTER sits up, listening on the bed.  Throughout this scene it is important that we feel his reaction at all times, that he visibly responds to the words of his sister and ASAGAI.)}[ BENEATHA:  That that was what one person could do for another, fix him up--sew up the problem, make him all right again.  That was the most marvelous thing in the world...I wanted to do that.  I always thought it was the one concrete thing in the world that human being could do.  Fix up the sick, you know--and make them whole again.  This was truly being God...

28. Angie from Patter for the Floating LadyNotes: Angie's failed relationship with the magician is the subject of the play, and as she's suspended she recounts their relationship.

Oh yes, I loved you. So many things. Safety, words exchanged, letters. I would cough and the phone would ring and it would be you, asking if I was all right. You could imitate me and make me laugh. You would buy me a little thing. When I made Spaghetti for you, you were so grateful, Pavarotti himself couldn’t have made better Spaghetti. We were at a restaurant and a woman came up to you, flirting and right there in front of her, you laced your fingers between mine, showing her who you loved.But the most powerful was the tennis shoe. My God, I cried. After our week in the tropics- where we collapsed, ended- a month later, not having spoken, you sent me a tennis shoe. I looked at it for days, not knowing why you sent it. Then one morning, barefoot, not knowing why, I slipped my foot into it. Sand. Grains of sand still in it from seven thousand miles away; each one the size of a memory. I will love you forever for that second. I cried. I cried for us. But when we fell apart, you didn’t understand that I would be back. That if you let me have my life, I would be with you forever. But everything you said and did, every touch at night in bed, every kindness, every loving comment had this sentence attached: maybe now she’ll love me. And it made you weak. And if I’m not going to love someone strong, why love at all?

29. MARGY Frake from State FairMargy: I didn’t know. Honest I didn’t. You see, Mr. Gilbert approached me the first day of the fair and asked if… well, if he could spend some time with me, but he didn’t tell me it was to…(It all starts making sense to her as she crosses away, spinning out this scenario.) Why, of course. He just wanted to write about one family’s experience at the fair without them knowin’. So he used me. I guess it turned into something more than I thought it would.

30. BABE from The Pajama Game

Sid, there’s something I got to talk about. I think you’re wonderful and I love you. But we’re in for a lot of trouble. There’s something going to come between us. Seven–and-a-half cents. It’s important. Maybe we ought to face that before we begin dating. You’ve got to listen. You don’t know me. I don’t know why the Union’s so important to me . . . but it is . . . I guess you got to be on a team. And that’s why no matter what’s with us . . . I’m, going to be fighting for my side and fighting hard.