Totally Dotty

A Ten Minute Play.

CHARACTERS:

DOTTY: impeccably dressed, polka dots

SPLOTCH: a moment in time

MINNIE: Wears a white dress with tiny polka dots and Christian Louboutin-like strappy heels with pom-poms affixed to it (sole could be painted red for signature Louboutin-style)

SET: Everything is polka dots and round pillows, etc. It is artistically done.

PROPS: Cupcakes with polka dot sprinkles, polka dot teacups, Bubble machine, food coloring

SCENE ONE:

DOTTY walks on stage and looks around.

DOTTY

Ooh, it looks great in here. Everything has to be perfect. 

(Speaks to the audience now) Today is a VERY special day. It’s not every day that you meet an icon. And she’s coming (emph.)here to have lunch with me. Me! I’m so excited. I grew up watching her show. She’s so classy.

I’ve always lived under the shadow of my big sister, Betty. Everybody loves Betty. Nobody even remembers me. 

But today is MY special day. 

Betty made arrangements for my special visitor. I have a proposal for her, for my special guest, that is. I want to go into the polka dot business with her. We are going to polka dot the world! It’s my obsession. I love polka dots. I mean, look around, they’re so grand and happy. How could you be unhappy in a room full of polka dots? It’s impossible. I’ve tried. I’m happy all the time. 

My name is Dotty by the way. It’s as if my parents knew I would grow up to love polka dots, Dotty? It’s the perfect name, isn’t it? Let’s see, looking around…Everything’s in place! (She motions and picks things up as she mentions them) I’ve got my polka dot dishware, polka dot tea kettle, polka dot teacups, I even have polka dot flatware. The tea sandwiches are all polka dots and circles, too. Ooh, I almost forgot I’ve got a bubble machine! What could be better than 3D polka dots? I hope that my special guest likes me. I mean, she’s so famous and so is my sister, and who am I? A nobody, really, but I do think I have an eye for polka dots. And that polka dotting the world is my special talent.

It all started when I was a little girl. Betty got a horse and I got, well, I got a ball pit. It was an immense pit of colors, so round and perfect. Round is perfect, you know? Kind of like my sister. She looks perfect, acts perfect. That’s why they picked her. I don’t blame them, really.

But today is my day! Nothing is going to stop me! I have been planning this for weeks, maybe months, heck, maybe even my entire life…well, since I first got inspired in that ball pit.

Have you ever really examined the perfection of a colorful ball? It’s so eye-appealing and smooth to the touch.

Well, I couldn’t really invite my special guest to a ball pit. No, no, no. My taste has become very sophisticated. Everything is tastefully done. See? (She gestures around the room). No tackiness here.

So, I bought this bubble maker. (She pours the bubbles in and turns it on.) See? Isn’t it so darling? But wait! I have the piece de resistance! Food coloring! I know! 3D colorful polka dots! They will be so pretty…(pours a bottle into the bubble machine). And voila! Colorful bubbles! Aren’t they so precious?

(At this point, a colorful bubble will land on her dress and leave a SPLOTCH.)

(Horrified) Oh, no! What will I do? My dress is ruined! Look at this horrible SPLOTCH! What will I do? My special guest will never accept me if I am not absolutely perfect.

(She runs over to the sink and starts trying to clean it, but the SPLOTCH gets bigger!)

Oh, no. I can’t cancel; it’s too late. Everything is ruined.

(She lies down in a heap to cry)

ENTER MINNIE

(MINNIE and DOTTY will need to avoid the bubbles until the machine gets turned off.)

MINNIE

Oh, what’s the matter? Why are you crying?

DOTTY

(She looks up, her makeup is smeared)

Minnie Mouse, you’re here! And look at me! I’ve ruined everything. And who am I? And look at you! Wow, look at your shoes, they are so perfect! PomPom Louboutins? They’re like a dream come true. Oh, Minnie, I am your biggest fan!

MINNIE

Wow, look at this place, Dotty, it looks great! Do you know that I love polka dots, too?

DOTTY

Well, I knew that you were a style icon and I’ve seen polka dots on you before, but I wasn’t sure if you loved them as much as me. (Looks at the SPLOTCH on her dress). Look at me, my dress is wrecked.

MINNIE

Don’t fret, Dotty. Splotches happen. When you least expect it! It’s hard to keep perfect in an unperfect world. You have to learn to embrace the imperfections.

DOTTY

Wow, thank you, Minnie. That’s so kind of you. I’m a nobody. Not only have you come to meet me but you’re also saying all the right things. You’re perfect!

MINNIE

Perfection is overrated. And you are NOT a nobody! You have been the steady rock by Betty’s side. I’ve seen you at the studios. You always look so stylish.

DOTTY

Me, stylish? Thank you! I just can’t help it; I love polka dots so much; they make everything easy.

MINNIE

Yes, they do. Do you know that my bedroom is all polka dots? And I have a polka dot dish set!

Say, I’ve been working on my PhD in psychology, and I would love it if you could be the interior designer for my new office.

DOTTY

You’re getting your PhD?

MINNIE

Yes, living in the shadow of Mickey my entire life hasn’t been easy. It’s a way to gain my freedom.

DOTTY

You mean you won’t do films anymore?

MINNIE

No, I’m contractually obligated to do films for the rest of my life. Mickey made sure of that. But I wanted to gain some independence. I don’t like how I’m portrayed, so I need to prove to myself that I am something more than what the scriptwriters make me out to be.

DOTTY

Wow, Minnie, you are such an inspiration. Thanks for coming over today.

MINNIE

My pleasure. Now, let’s turn off that bubble machine and have a bite to eat!

DOTTY

Absolutely! 

(She goes over and turns off the bubble machine as they walk to the table.)

MINNIE

Wow, you really made everything look so great today. Thanks for thinking of me.

DOTTY

You’re welcome. And thanks for thinking of me!

(The lights fade as they sit down and eat their lunch.)

BLACKOUT

END SCENE