Act I:
We open in a child's bedroom. There are bunk beds with stuffed animals and covers pulled back, books and toys decorate the floor, and sunlight filters in through rainbow curtains. Two young girls, ages 5 (PRINCESS) and 3 (PEA), are going through their dresser drawers deciding what to wear. They pull various items out and throw them onto the floor until they have both chosen outfits. Princess is wearing a short sleeved shirt, a skirt, and rain boots. Pea is still wearing a long sleeved top and is pulling on pants as a harried mother enters the room holding a baby. Both the mother (MOM) and baby (G) are bundled in long pants and sweaters.
Mom: "Girls? Are you ready to go?"
Princess: "Yeah! Don't I look beautiful?"
Pea: "Mommy I need help cuz I can't find my socks."
Mom: "Ok Pea, just one second. Princess, it's pretty cold outside. You probably want to wear tights with that skirt."
Princess: "I don't have any tights in my drawer."
Mom: "That means they are all in the laundry. You should probably change into pants."
Princess: "I don't want to wear pants. I want to look pretty in my skirt."
Mom: "You are beautiful all the time, but you will also be cold unless you put on pants."
Princess: "I won't be cold. I will wear a jacket."
Pea: "I don't have to wear a jacket because I have long sleeves!"
Mom: "Pea, it's really cold out so you will still need a jacket. Princess if you don't want to wear pants you will have to stay here."
Princess: "But I want to wear my skirt and tights!"
Mom: "Do you have tights in your drawer?"
Princess: "No."
Mom: "Then you need to wear pants. If you don't want to wear pants you will have to stay here."
Princess: "But I want to wear my skirt and tights!"
Mom: "Do you have tights in your drawer?"
Princess: "No."
Mom: "Then you need to wear pants."
Princess: " But!"
Meanwhile, PEA has undressed and is now wearing a dress up princess dress and princess heels.
Mom: "Pea! It's too cold for that!"
Pea: "But I will wear a jacket!"
Act II
We open to a paved driveway and minivan idling by the sidewalk. MOM is locking up the house juggling a diaper bag and an infant car seat, while PRINCESS and PEA walk to the car. PRINCESS has found some tights that look too small, and is continually pulling them up as she walks. PEA is still in her princess outfit, although she has put on a jacket and socks. Both girls get into the car and begin buckling their seat belts.
Princess: "Mom! Turn on the hot air! It's cold in here!!"
Pea: "Brrrr! Mommy my seat is cold!"
Mom: "I told you guys! The hot air is on but it's going to take a minute."
Princess: "I'm freezing to death! Close the doors!"
Mom: "I have to get your brother in! Calm down! I told you to wear pants!"
Pea: "I need a blanket!"
Mom: "I don't have a blanket."
Pea: "There's a blanket!"
Mom: "That is your brother's blanket."
MOM gets into her seat and looks back.
Mom: "Pea, give him back his blanket!"
Act III:
We open in front of a grocery store. The kids have unloaded and are walking toward the store, shivering dramatically and hunched over.
Princess and Pea: "I am so cold! Mommy! It's freezing out here!"
Mom: "Just keep moving! Get into the store!"
Strangers pass by, glancing at the scantily clad children and shaking their heads as their cries get louder. PEA throws herself onto the ground and hunches into a ball and refuses to move.
Mom: "Pea! Get up! Let's get inside!"
Pea: "It's too cold! I want a blanket!"
G wails. A few more strangers pass and openly give looks of disapproval. MOM struggles to pick PEA up while juggling the diaper bag, G, and reusable grocery bags. Her keys fall. While picking them up, her phone falls. While picking that up, her diaper bag crashes to the ground. Finally, she hoists everything, including PEA into her arms.
Mom: "Come on Princess! We are almost there!"
Princess: "But Mom! Why didn't you TELL us it was going to be SO COLD????"
As they enter the store, MOM throws everything into the cart leaving little space for actual groceries, and the stage goes dark.
The End?
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