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--
January 15th, 2026
by Ellen W. Kaplan
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
PENNY:(F) early 50s.
SAM: (F) late 20s.
Both wear 'nicely stylish' clothes for dinner.
PENNY also wears an apron.
SETTING: A kitchen sink. The back of the sink faces us, so we see the person washing dishes.
Stage left of the sink is a draining board. To the right, a counter (granite would be nice –
this is a family that is reasonably well-off, but of course, the trimmings can happily be in our
imagination.) There is also an entryway to the dining room, Upstage.
TIME: After dinner.
AT RISE:
PENNY is washing dishes. SAM stands at her side, awkwardly trying to make conversation.
SAM
Really, I can help.
PENNY
This is the last batch. Go back inside, I've got it.
SAM
It's so sudsy.
PENNY
Mmm.
SAM
The water swirls down the drain. So cool.
PENNY
If you say so...
SAM
See? Into the basin? Down the pipes?
PENNY
Isn't that interesting.
SAM
Um. I can dry?
PENNY
No need. You could you bring the coffee cups if you like.
SAM
Sure. Right. Of course.
SAM goes out.
PENNY
(to herself)
I will like her. I will love her. Well. I will welcome her. Our new little...
SAM enters with a tray of coffee cups.
SAM
New little...?
PENNY
Um. Not little. Just new. (laughs gently) Daughter-in-law.
SAM
Almost! He hasn't officially proposed yet.
PENNY
Mmm. Could you put down those cups? Carefully, please.
SAM
They are so pretty. Are they porcelain?
PENNY
Just cups.
SAM
They look old. In a good way.
PENNY
Demitasse.
SAM
Demi...Tasse? Is that a thing? Really?
PENNY
Too fussy, for just us. I'm not sure why he pulled them.
SAM
He's just being nice to me, I guess.
PENNY
Demitasse. Not even a holiday.
SAM
(giggles)
Just the family. And, the 'new girl.' Me.
PENNY
To welcome our almost /
SAM
/ not yet...
PENNY
Well, Peter's new squeeze.
SAM
I think it'll be soon, well, I hope! We've had some serious talks. And I think that's why he
wanted me to meet you.
PENNY
I hope you liked the dinner. I made it special, Peter's instructions.
SAM
It was lovely. Thanks for remembering I'm allergic to strawberries.
PENNY
That's an original allergy. Hard to forget. I'll see if there's anything else to clear.
PENNY goes out
SAM
(to herself)
She won't even look at me. I should marry him just for spite, I will! Bitch.
\
PENNY enters, wiping her hands on her apron.
PENNY
Everything's cleared away. Just the coffee cups to wash.
SAM
Oh, I should be doing them.
PENNY
Don't bother.
SAM
I should be helping.
PENNY
You're a guest. Have to treat you right, or I'll catch hell from my son.
SAM watches over PENNY'S shoulder, as PENNY washes.
SAM
I hope you're not mad at him.
PENNY
Should I be? What did he do?
SAM
No! I mean. For inviting me.
PENNY
Why don't you go back in and talk to the boys.
SAM
(giggling a bit)
Am I in the way? I guess you don't like strangers in your kitchen. Of course, I'm not a
stranger. Strange but not a stranger!
PENNY
Mmm.
SAM
I do love to watch all the crumbs swirl down that murky drain.
PENNY
So you said.
SAM
Oh, did we forget to serve the strudel? I made it, well, I tried to. It's a little too flaky,
I think I put in too much butter. I'm not much of a cook. Maybe I could learn a few tricks from you?
PENNY
Plenty of time for that.
SAM
I notice you get so much joy from having him home. Can't blame you
PENNY
Ah, my warm, funny, eccentric son.
SAM
Eccentric? Peter?
PENNY
Well, in his choices. Strange...
SAM
Strange, but never a stranger. I don't want to be a stranger, Penny. However this works out.
PENNY
Oh, dear. (Pause) Sam. You are welcome in my home.
SAM
In the kitchen?
PENNY
I'm not much of a cook. Just, I get – proprietary. And, I don't feel comfortable in a crowd.
I'm allergic to small space. But, you are welcome. Truly.
SAM
Thank you, Penny.
PENNY
I've finished washing. How about if we dry?
SAM
Let's. Happy to. Um. Should I start calling you – 'mom'?
PENNY shrugs, sighs, and hands the towel to SAM, who starts to dry.
LIGHTS OUT.
About the Playwright
Ellen W. Kaplan resides in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States.
Read the playwright's biography and The Short Play's the Thing publications
on Ellen W. Kaplan's Artist Page.
Short Plays Collection
This play is also featured in
Short Plays Collection #1,
published in the The Short Play's the Thing Playhouse.
Keywords: relationships, family dynamics, meeting the parents, potential in-laws
Previously published in Short Plays Magazine:
This is the first play published.
Short Plays Magazine is part of The Short Play's the Thing and waxpoetryart.com.
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