Courtship of She

The suitor has taken his lady-love for a leisurely afternoon in a rowboat. She basks in sunshine and in her man’s attention. He sings to her, reads poems, and makes sure she is comfortable. They enjoy each others’ company and she is ready for anything he suggests, anywhere.

Suddenly he bails. He jumps out of the boat and swims away.

Stunned in the rocking boat, the concerned lady grips the sides with elegantly white-gloved hands and calls out to her gentleman, “Are you okay? Are you hurt? Is something wrong?”

Imagine her surprise when he curtly replies,“I’m FINE. Aren’t I allowed to go for a swim? Must you mother everything I do? Can’t I just be myself?”

What should she say? What should she do? The tone of the afternoon has suddenly changed and she’s not sure she understood his intentions. Maybe she misread his loving care. Maybe he didn’t want to be with her after all and his mother made him do it. Maybe she smells bad.

While the drifting lover floats and kicks and mumbles, the lady-love takes charge. She removes herself from the cushioned seat, tosses her parasol and maneuvers onto the middle plank. She grips the oars and rows herself toward shore.
However, the suitor angrily slaps the water. “What’s the matter?” he yells. “Do you always have to be in control?”

Here’s where the scene splits:

#1: Looking in surprise over her shoulder with dripping oars suspended over rippling water, she replies, “Oh! My dear, I didn’t realize you wanted a swim. I’m so sorry. It was unexpected, and I thought you were mad at me for some reason and that I’d be left alone here to flounder. I shouldn’t have second-guessed you. Please forgive me. Here, I’ll help you get back in! I’m so sorry! Take the oars!”

#2: Glancing over her shoulder while heaving at the oars, with sweat trickling down her muslin-covered back she responds, letting the breeze carry her strong voice, “Stuff you Jack! If my Father knew what you’d just done, He’d tan your worthless hide! You are 'allowed' to do anything you want to. But I don’t have to be shoved aside for you to do it. I won’t be taken in, and I won’t be taken down. Swim home on your own, buster.”