THE PROPOSAL

Characters :

Margaret : A senior editor on Royce Publishing Company

Taylor : Margarets bestfriend
Joe : Margarets Assistant
Alexa : Joes co-worker
Daphnie : An editor on Royce Publishing Company
Ms. Nathalie : U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Officer
Ms. Paula : Ms. Nathalies Supervisor

SCENE 1 (In Joes Bedroom)

Joe : (looks at the clock and gets up quickly when he sees it is 6.16 AM) Oh my God, Im late! (runs
into bathroom)

SCENE 2 (At Royce Publishing Company)

(The elevator doors in Royce Publishing Company ahead of Joe begin to close. Mercifully, a hand reaches out
and stops the doors. Inside the elevator, Alexa, Joes co-worker looks sleepy).

Alexa : How long is she going to make us come in by seven ?

Joe : She doesnt exactly consult with me on these things.

Alexa : Well, this is a torture!

Joe : Welcome to my nightmare, dude!

Alexa : Oh my.. I wonder what is she.. Well I dont mean to complain, but I think this is too cruel and
exhausting.

Joe : Uh..humb..

Alexa : Dont you feel that Joe? You must be a superhuman for being her assistant.

Joe : I think so..

Alexa : Dont you dare to said what Ive been said about her.

Joe : I promise you..

Alexa : Youre the angel in here, Joe. Thank you so much and be patient..

SCENE 3 (In Margarets Office)

(Inside Margarets office, Joe races to Margarets computer and turns it on. He picks up papers scattered in the
room. He goes back to the computer and opens computers programs. Then, he grabs a paper. A clock above the
door reads 7 AM. Joe stands at attention with the paper in one hand and coffee in the other. Suddenly, Margaret
opens the door to her office. She looks at Joe and checks her office. Her office looks perfect).

Joe : Morning, youve got a conference call in thirty minutes, a staff meeting at nine, and your
immigration lawyer sent some papers for you to sign.
Margaret : Cancel the call, move the meeting to eight and Yes, I got Frank to do publicity.

Joe : Nice job.

Margaret : When I want your praise, Ill ask for it. Is Daphnie here ?

Joe : Im sure. You want her on the phone?

Margaret : Were going to her office. Grab your pad.

(They go out of Margarets office)

SCENE 4 (In Daphnies office)

Margaret : Hey, Daphnie

Daphnie : Ah, our fearless leader and her lovely assistant.

Margaret : (smiles) Im letting you go, Daphnie.

Daphnie : Pardon?

Margaret : Youre fired!

Daphnie : What? What are you talking about?

Margaret : This isnt working out.

Daphnie : You cant

Margaret : I asked you repeatedly to get Frank to do publicity. You said it was impossible.

Daphnie : It is. He doesnt do publicity.

Margaret : I just talked to him. Hes in.

Daphnie : But

Margaret : No more buts, Daphnie. Ive been a chief for a month and a half, and this is the third time
youve dropped the ball. You didnt even call to ask him.

Daphnie : Hmm.. (looks nervous).

Margaret : All you had to do was to pick up the phone. Thats it. Now Ill give you two months to get a
new job and then you can say you resign. I wont tell a soul, my lips are sealed.

(Margaret nods at Joe and he open the door. As they walk out of Daphnies room, Daphnie yells..)

Daphnie : YOU POISONOUS WOMAN ! YOU CANT FIRE ME !

Margaret : What are you doing? I gave you civilized way out of this.

Daphnie : Well, do what you want to do! I promise you, youll regret someday for doing this to me!
Youll never get an editor better than me!

Margaret : Really?

Daphnie : Why dont you never look backward for what Ive done for you, for this company? Who else
gonna be this good, working under the preasure of woman like you.

Margaret : Whatever you say..

Daphnie : I wonder what kind of woman you are. You must be my nightmare. You just pretend yourself
that you never make any mistake by blaming anyone else. Im sure you firing me because Im
your competitor! Because I threaten you!

Margaret : Oh, Daphnie. You could never threaten me. Im firing you because youre lazy, entitled, and
incompetent. Im firing you because you dont work hard. So, if you know whats good for you,
find a bar and get drunk. Because if you say one more word. Joe here will call the security and
have you thrown out of here. Are we perfectly clear?

(Daphnie nods)

Margaret : Good, now excuse me. Ive got work to do.

(Margaret and Joe leave Daphnie)

SCENE 5 (On the way to Margarets Office)

Margaret : We need to call her authors and explain what happen. And get Franks publicity schedule
figured out soon.

Joe : No problem, Ill just cancel my trip this weekend.

Margaret : I gave you the weekend off?

Joe : It was my grandmas ninetieth birthday. But no big deal. You were right before, I need to stay
focused. Professional.

(Joes phone rings. After he reads the message, he tells Margaret about her next meeting).

Joe : Your 10.55 is here. Ms. Nathalie.

Margaret : Who is this woman ?

Joe : She said you know each other. You werent sure so you told me to set a meeting. We
rescheduled on her four times.

Margaret : Go get her. But she must go out of here in five minutes. Weve got work to do.

(Margaret leaves and go into her office).

Joe : (talk to himself) Ill charge up my energy.

SCENE 6 (In Margarets Office)

(Margaret enter the room, Taylor has been there, in her room).

Margaret : Oh my God! You scare me..

Taylor : You used to be happy Im here right now. Its been a week we didnt meet. Dont you miss
me?

Margaret : Oh, God. Please, No.

Taylor : You just dont want to admit it. Oh baby.. Look at my nails, Ive been polish them, but it looks
bad. Im not as beauty as I thought.

Margaret : When will you stop talking about your nails, hair, face, eyes and those stupid things?
Taylor : Really, you just a very typical woman Ive ever known. Look at you. You are rich and having a
lot of money, but darling, youre so old in fashion. Why dont you just try to look a little bit
beautiful?

Margaret : You mean Im not beautiful?

Taylor : I didnt say it..

Margaret : Oh Whatever..

Taylor : Wait, could you see this? (look at the mirror)

Margaret : What else?

Taylor : Is this a wrinkles under my eyes?

Margaret : Oh, come on! Why does that question is so important?

Taylor : Well, for you it maybe unimportant. Look at you, you have so many wrinkles and you really
dont care about it right?

Margaret : Excuse me? Do I look so old?

Taylor : Finally you admit it.

Margaret : Im asking you.

Taylor : You know exactly the answer.

Margaret : Oh God, what kind of bestfriend you are?

Taylor : I said that because I love you..

Margaret : Thank you..

(Joe coming..)

Joe : Excuse me!

Taylor : Hello Joe

Joe : Oh, Hi Taylor. Its nice to meet you.

Taylor : You too.. You always look so good Joe..

Margaret : Whats up Joe?

Taylor : (coming to Margaret) Oh Margaret, you didnt have to be so cruel. (whisper) I think you have
to date him, anyway you both look so perfect.

Margaret : Wait, What ?

Taylor : You just have to considered it. Marry him or date him is not a bad idea anyway.

(Margaret and Taylor look each other and didnt speak).

Joe : Excuse me, but I think you have a guest waiting for you.

Taylor : Well, Im going back to my own office..

Margaret : So, you took 20km just only for five minutes?
Taylor : Yes, I have to make sure that youre not getting old every week.

Margaret : Ok, bye! Go ahead, I wont stop you..

Taylor : Haha, stop take everything so seriously darling, you only live once. Just make it fun. Ok, bye..

(After Taylor go out from Margarets Office, Ms. Nathalie and her Supervisor came in. Margaret reads as they
enter the room and sit down. They sit in silence until Margaret looks up).

Ms. Paula : Good morning Ms. Margaret. Nice to meet you. How are you?

Margaret : Im very well, thanks.

Ms. Nathalie : Margaret, good to see you. I know how busy you are. Congrats on the promotion. Read about it
in magazine.

Margaret : Yeah, Thank you very much. But I have to admit, I cant place where we know each other
from?

Ms. Nathalie : Ms. Mills, Im from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, we met in my office three
months ago.

Ms. Paula : And yes, we are. I think we never met before. Im Paula, Im her supervisor. I accompany her
today, is just special for you.

Margaret : Uh..mm.. Yes, how are you Ms. Nathalie and Mrs. Paula?

Ms. Paula : Excuse me, I am Ms. Paula actually.

Margaret : Oh, pardon me. How are you Ms. Paula?

Ms. Paula : Oh, thank God. Im so good today, thank you.

Ms. Nathalie : Never been better, thanks. But, Im here to give you bad news. Im here to tell you that Im
going to deport you to Canada.

Ms. Paula : Yes, thats actually the point. Were going to deport you.

Margaret : Excuse me? What? This is a mistake. Ive lived here since 1981. Im applying for citizenship
and all the papers are in.

Ms. Paula : Nathalie, explain to her why we will force her to do that!

Ms. Nathalie : Yes, I know. Actually Ive tried to tell you since two months ago about it, but its really
difficult to arrange a meeting with you. You always cancel it. (Ms. Nathalie pulls out a pile of
papers and put them down). Well, my office rejected your paperwork two months ago and in the
mean time, we will investigate whether your behavior is well disposed to the good order of the
United States or not. Im sorry, but we must protect our sovereignty.

Ms. Paula : Yes, thats it! Look how bad your attitude and now youll asking us for forgiveness?

Margaret : No, wait. Im a threat to the sovereignty of the United States?

Ms. Nathalie : Yes, and unfortunately my investigation will take a while. So youll be deported while your
case winds through the systems. Will I affect you at work if you arent allowed to enter the
United States for the next one or two years?

Margaret : Affect me at work? Are you kidding? I will lose my job!

Ms. Paula : Oooh, la la. Now you get your own problem Ms. Margaret. Thats the risk for what youve
done for ignoring us.

Ms. Nathalie : Oh, thats a shame. Too bad we cant work something out.

(Suddenly, the door opens and Joe bursts in, acting like there is an emergency so Margaret can end the
meeting).

Joe : Excuse me Ms. Mills, risk management needs you right away.

(The sight of Joe inspires Margaret. She remember what Taylor has said before. She turns to Nathalie with a
wicked grin on her face).

Margaret : Do you know something Ms. Nathalie and Ms. Paula? Im not going anywhere. Were getting
married.

Joe : Whos getting married?

Margaret : We are!

Joe : Oh, yes we are.. What? (shocked)

Margaret : Stop playing around, Honey.

(Margaret smiles. Joe is very confused).

Margaret : Ms. Nathalie and Ms. Paula is from the immigration services. I told them about us. About us
getting married.

Ms. Nathalie : You are marrying your male secretary?

Joe : Assistant.

Ms. Nathalie : You are marrying your male assistant?

Margaret : As a matter of fact. Were in love. We tried to fight it. But when its right, its right.

Ms. Nathalie : And this is nothing to do with my visit here today?

Margaret : Nope. True love. Got it bad.

Ms. Nathalie : (to Joe) You. Is this true? Are you marrying this woman?

Ms. Paula : Wait, Nathalie. Do you just believe in what she said?

(Margaret comes to Joe and holds his hands).

Margaret : Of course we are.

(Ms. Nathalie and Ms. Paula looks sharply to Joe. Joe doesnt answer. Margaret squeezes Joes hand hard).

Joe : Uh-huh. (nods)

(Margaret smiles and put her arm around Joe. Joe is truly afraid).

Ms. Paula : Tell the truth, dude. Are you sure you want to marry her?

Joe : (more of question) Im, uh, marrying my boss?

(Margaret still puts her arm around Joe and waits in silence while Joe shivers. Then, Nathalie checks his
appointment book and writes down some information).
Ms. Nathalie : Ok then, the INS will see you both in ten days for your official interview. Your stories better
match up on every account.

(Ms. Nathalie and Ms. Paula get up and give Margaret a piece of paper. After they leave the room, Margaret
goes back to her desk like nothing happens. Joe doesnt react. Margaret doesnt notice).

Joe : Well, um, uh.. Now, I should marry my boss, um.. I mean you?

Margaret : Yes!

Joe : Oh my God! (he is fainted).

-fin-