from

Picnic by William Inge

Character: Rosemary (40)

Rosemary is a middle-aged, unmarried school teacher who lives in a small town during the 1950's. For
many years, she has dated Howard, a traveling salesman who lives in town – they have a comfortable
relationship, but have never committed to marriage. When a young man with a wild background
comes to town and sweeps the local prom queen off her feet, the status quo in town is shaken. As
Rosemary watches the lives of others unraveling around her she realizes that she will lose her own
chance for happiness if she doesn't take a chance and convince Howard to marry her. In this scene,
Rosemary implores Howard to run off and marry her, now, before they never do.

Where you goin', Howard? You can't go off without me. You can't go off without me. Not after
tonight. That's sense. Take me with you. If you don't, I don't know what I'll do with myself. I mean it.
Maybe you won't come back Saturday. Maybe you won't be back ever again. Then what's to be in
store for me? To be nice to the next man, then the next, – till there's no one left to care whether I'm
nice to him or not. Till I'm ready for the grave and don't have anyone to take me there. You can't let
that happen to me, Howard. I won't let you. You said you were gonna marry me, Howard. You said
when I got back from my vacation, you'd be waitin' with the preacher. Where's the preacher, Howard?
Where is he? (grabbing him by the arm and holding him) Come back here Howard. I'm no spring
chicken either. Maybe I'm a little older than you think I am. I've formed my ways, too. But they can
be changed. They gotta be changed. It's no good livin' like this, in rented rooms, meetin' a bunch of
maids for supper each night, then comin' back home alone....You gotta marry me....Howard! Please
marry me, Howard. Oh, God! Please marry me, Howard. Please....(she sinks to her knees)
Please....please....