Dating Joe

By Mark Fletcher

Play script. One act, monologue.

It is pre the days of dating apps. Introverted Joe Thompson is lonely and looking for love. He turns to a dating agency and trips over himself as a result.

Over the course of the play we see Joe's narrative evolve as he reveals more of himself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Fletcher
• Release date: Feb 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005215118

Book preview

Dating Joe

By

Mark Fletcher

Smashwords edition.

© Copyright Mark Fletcher

29 Edinburgh St, Richmond VIC Australia

Telephone [phone]

Email [e-mail]

SETTING.

Pre dating app 1990s.

SYNOPSIS

Joe is introverted and lonely. He and finds it hard to meet people. Bars don’t work out so he tries a dating agency.

After some false starts Joe completes his introductory video and sends it off for potential perfect partners to be found.

Joe is shocked to meet his first date, Ashley. Ashley is a girl and Joe is gay. Something has gone wrong with his paperwork at the dating agency.

So Joe starts again. Trouble is, he doesn’t come across as gay enough to be gay no matter how hard he tries.

He eventually and under considerable stress completes his ‘gay’ introductory video and is invited on a date.

Dating Joe ends emotionally with Joe ‘talking with’ his dead partner about his impending first date with David.

CAST

Joe Thompson. Fifties.

Dressed conservative casual. Trousers, shirt, tie and sweater. Straight looking.

STAGING

Set in Joe Thompson’s comfortable living room, the play takes place over several weeks. Usually in the evening.

PROPS

Portable phone.

Video camera and remote to operate it.

Sealed envelope containing A4 sheet of paper.

JOE THOMPSON IS SEATED UPRIGHT AND QUITE STIFFLY IN A LOUNGE CHAIR. HE IS AGITATED. HOLDS A SMALL REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE IN HIS HAND.

PRESSES A BUTTON ON THE REMOTE IN HIS HAND.

SITS UPRIGHT. FORMALLY YET TENTATIVELY.

My name is Joe Thompson.

PAUSES. PLEASED WITH HIMSELF.

I’m fifty four years old.