31 Plays in 31 Days, #21 - "The Bet"

[breakinglight11]

This scene is from Justin's adventure and occurs directly after Day #19 - "The Party Met". Justin's just discovered there's more to the cute girl he hit on then at first he suspected. But in typical Justin fashion, he's even more intrigued by a little more edge introduced into the interaction.


Photo by John Benfield

Day #21 - “The Bet”
From A Libertine Abroad
By Phoebe Roberts
~~~

JUSTIN HAWKING, a liberated gentlemen, late thirties
ROSALINE PEMBROKE, of Pembroke’s of London, early thirties

Venice, 1889
~~~

ROSALINE: I’m sure you thought I’d already disappointed you enough. Are you surprised?

JUSTIN: I’ll confess it. Although it would explain why anyone bothers to trust their money to a wet lump of mulch like Lord Harry.

ROSALINE: Well, that I can’t disagree with that. Uncle dear isn’t charming at the best of times, when he hasn’t forgotten to trim the hair in his ears. But I’m afraid you see that there’s more than just propriety keeping me from your charming offer.

JUSTIN: Oh, not at all, miss. Why, I’d say you’ve made things infinitely more interesting.

ROSALINE: Do you fancy a spot of competition?

JUSTIN: With a slight raising of the stakes. If I win Mrs. Broadwater’s investment, you must agree to spend an evening of Masquerade as my guest.

ROSALINE: And what precisely would that entail?

JUSTIN: A chance, miss. To… win you over.

ROSALINE: And what if I win?

JUSTIN: What would you like from me?

(ROSALINE considers.)

ROSALINE: If I win… you must take Annabel’s maid companion to the ball.

JUSTIN: I beg your pardon?

ROSALINE: Just as I said.

JUSTIN: And… after that, will you… make me eat sweets and stay up past my bedtime?

ROSALINE: Trust me, dear, it’s not for your sake.

JUSTIN: I’m happy to show a plain girl a good time. Never let it be said that Justin Lionel Hawking is ungenerous of spirit.

ROSALINE: Yes, the moment you accosted me, that’s just what I thought— that you were quite the hero.

JUSTIN: You must terribly want me to not take things too hard if you’re offering me a consolation prize.

ROSALINE: If I were, Mr. Hawking, it is because I am very good at what I do.

JUSTIN: I can only imagine.

ROSALINE: You won’t find this a walk in the park.

JUSTIN: I don’t plan to go easy on you. Enough that I’ll ask that, when Hawking tosses out Uncle Harry by the hair in his ears, you don’t hold it against me at the ball. Let us agree, no hard feelings, then?

(He extends his hand and she takes it.)

ROSALINE: None at all. As I said— I am very good. And I’m pleased for the chance to prove it.