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**Author's note: A couple of visitors have expressed confusion over the bits of extraneous dialogue from secondary characters that I've included in my monologues. "Aren't monologues supposed to be just one person talking?" Yes. They are. The extra dialogue is included, mainly, to provide context so that the performer knows what happened just before, and what is going on during his or her speech. It is also included for completion's sake (this is how the monologue appears in the actual play). When this dialogue appears in the middle of the monologue it can usually be fairly easily ignored in performance (sometimes requiring some minor re-wording) or (my preference) the dialogue can be responded to as if the other actor were actually on stage with you. The monologue will be more dynamic and interesting that way, and the audience will still understand perfectly well what's going on. Hope that clears things up. Feel free to e-me with any other questions or comments.
Bob: [Sensing that he's losing her] I've been in that diner. The one you work at. I see you in there sometimes.
[Daphne: [Turning back] Really?]
Bob: You probably don't remember me.
[Daphne: Well, I...]
Bob: No, no, I understand. A lot of people in and out. It's a busy place. [She nods] Yeah. [pause]
You're cheerful there, too. I've noticed. I mean, you have to be, right? You're grouchy, you don't get tips, you get fired, but with you it's different. It's like you enjoy it or something. I've noticed. It's nice. [She smiles-small pause] I mean it can get on your nerves after a while...but it's nice. It's... I was in there one time, I remember, and there was this guy, a real asshole, he's wearing this flourescent, plaid sport coat. [She laughs] You remember! What a jerk!
[Daphne: Well...]
Bob: I mean, he actually... [Bob recreates a lacivious grab--not actually doing it, but miming it from where he is sitting]
[Daphne: [Laughing] I think he'd been drinking.]
Bob: I would have emptied the coffee pot in his lap.
[Daphne: No.]
Bob: Or smashed him with a ketchup bottle.
[Daphne: [Still laughing] He didn't mean anything.]
Bob: See? That's what I mean. Always cheerful. Always...up. Like with the babies before. [She smiles and looks at the babies again. One of them catches her eye, and she can't resist a little wave with her index finger. Bob watches and shakes his head] Years from now they'll probably all be in therapy. [She looks at him] Recurring dreams of a huge lady rattling tic tacs in their face. [He sees her reaction--quickly] But it's nice, you know? I mean... That didn't come out the way I...I just meant, I couldn't do it. What you do. Be cheerful all the time.
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