By BILLY ST. JOHN
© Copyright 1999, by Pioneer Drama Service, Inc.
Performance License
The amateur acting rights to this play are controlled exclusively by PIONEER
DRAMA SERVICE, INC., P.O. Box 4267, Englewood, Colorado 80155, without
whose permission no performance, reading or presentation of any kind may be
given. On all programs and advertising this notice must appear: “Produced by
special arrangement with pioneer drama service, inc., Englewood, Colorado.”
copying or reproducing all or any part of this book in any
manner is strictly forbidden by law.
All other rights in this play, including those of professional production, radio
broadcasting and motion picture rights, are controlled by pioneer drama
service, inc., to whom all inquiries should be addressed.
SOMEONE SAVE MY BABY, RUTH!
Or... Foil That Villain!
A Sweet Melodrama by BILLY ST. JOHN
CAST OF CHARACTERS
TAFFY���������������������������������������a sales clerk at The Sweet Shoppe
TOFFEE�������������������������������������another sales clerk
HUBERT�����������������������������������a customer
TOM�����������������������������������������another customer
MRS. MURPHY��������������������������yet another customer
MINNIE�������������������������������������her child
PRALINE CANDY������������������������owner of The Sweet Shoppe
SIDNEY SWINDLE����������������������a villain
FARRON HEIT����������������������������a candy cook
CINDY GRADE���������������������������another candy cook
PENNY CANDY��������������������������a sweet young widow and our heroine.
She carries around her infant, Baby
Ruth, a real doll (and played by one!)
ADA SOURBALL�������������������������a villainess
ERNEST NOBLE�������������������������a policeman, our hero
EXTRAS������������������������������������if desired
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
TIME: The late 1800s.
PLACE: A Boston candy store called The Sweet Shoppe and a park
nearby.
Scene One: The Sweet Shoppe. A summer afternoon.
Scene Two: The park. About sunset.
Scene Three: The Sweet Shoppe. The following morning.
Scene Four: The park. About sunset.
Scene Five: The Sweet Shoppe. Immediately following.
For preview only
ii
SOMEONE SAVE MY BABY, RUTH!
Or... Foil That Villain!
Scene One
The Sweet Shoppe. A summer afternoon.
The setting is The Sweet Shoppe, a store filled with delicious confections.
The front door, which has a window in its upper half, is STAGE RIGHT
beside a large window that faces a street; a backdrop beyond depicts
store fronts from the late 1800s. The UPSTAGE CENTER wall contains
shelves on which sit baskets of various candies; each candy is
individually wrapped in foil or plastic or paper. A counter is STAGE LEFT
on which are more baskets of candy, paper bags, pencils and an oldfashioned cash register. A swinging door to the kitchen is behind the
counter on the STAGE LEFT wall; a light switch is beside it. Steps lead
down into the audience. LIGHT-HEARTED MUSIC of the period is played
before the show and FADES OUT as the CURTAIN RISES.
AT RISE: TOFFEE and TAFFY, two young sales clerks wearing aprons
over long dresses of the period, are busy waiting on customers HUBERT
and TOM. The two young men wear white pants, pastel shirts and straw
boater hats as they flirt with TOFFEE and TAFFY. At the counter are MRS.
MURPHY and her ten-year-old daughter, MINNIE. (NOTE: MINNIE can be
played by an adult.) SIDNEY SWINDLE, our villain, stands at the shelves
UPSTAGE; he will keep his back to the audience until indicated. EXTRAS
can be used, standing together chatting and holding their paper bags of
candy. As they talk to the boys, TOFFEE and TAFFY take candy from the
various baskets and drop them into small brown paper grocery sacks,
then write the number of candies inside on the bag with pencils. ALL
ad-lib about the selections a couple of beats.
MRS. MURPHY: I’m ready to pay for my purchases now.
TAFFY: (Calls out.) Miss Praline!
PRALINE’S VOICE: (OFFSTAGE LEFT.) Coming!
PRALINE: (ENTERS STAGE LEFT. She is a cheerful woman in her forties
or older.) I’m sorry, Mrs. Murphy. I was going over a new recipe for
bon-bons with my cooks, Farron Heit and Cindy Grade.
MRS. MURPHY: That’s quite all right, Praline.
MINNIE: Bon-bons? Yum!
PRALINE: I’ll give you a sample the next time you come in, Minnie, dear.
They’re delicious, if I do say so myself.
MRS. MURPHY: I have no doubt they are. All of your confections are
For preview only
1
heavenly. I adore your candies... (She hands her the sack.) as
you can see.
PRALINE: (Reads the number on the bag.) Twenty-five pieces. That will
be 25 cents.
MRS. MURPHY: (Takes a quarter from her reticule.) A penny apiece. Even
though your prices are higher than your competitors’, it’s worth it.
MINNIE: I hope you stay here forever and ever!
PRALINE: I certainly plan to. Business couldn’t be better.
MRS. MURPHY: Obviously. It looks as if you could use more help.
PRALINE: Funny you should mention that. As a matter of fact, my late
husband’s niece, Penny Candy, is due to arrive from Hershey,
Pennsylvania, with her baby, Ruth, any minute now. She’s going
to assist in the shop.
MINNIE: Mama, can we stay so I can play with Ruth?
PRALINE: I’m afraid the sweet little thing is too young to be a playmate
for you just yet, Minnie. Baby Ruth is an infant.
MINNIE: Oh, I thought she was a girl.
MRS. MURPHY: She is, dear. An infant is a baby. (To PRALINE.) And
your niece’s husband?
PRALINE: Alas, he’s gone. Reese was a sailor and was lost at sea.
MRS. MURPHY: How tragic! By the way, I’d also like five cents’ worth
of saltwater taffy.
PRALINE: I have some right here. (She takes five pieces of candy from
a basket on the counter and adds them to the sack.)
MRS. MURPHY: You were saying about your nephew?
PRALINE: The boiler on the poor lad’s ship exploded, and the vessel sank
beneath the waves. They never even recovered Reese’s pieces.
MRS. MURPHY: What a sad story!
PRALINE: Yes. This brings the total to 30 cents. (MRS. MURPHY gives
her a nickel from her reticule. PRALINE rings up the purchase on
the cash register and puts in the coins.)
MRS. MURPHY: My goodness, I had better leave before I spend my
entire household allowance on sweets! Come, Minnie.
For preview only
2
MINNIE: Yes, Mama. Bye-bye, Miss Praline.
PRALINE: Good-bye, dear. (MRS. MURPHY and MINNIE cross to STAGE
RIGHT and EXIT. If EXTRAS are used, they also will EXIT, chatting
quietly.) Taffy, Toffee, I’ll be in the kitchen. Call me when the
customers are ready to complete their purchases.
TAFFY/TOFFEE: Yes, Miss Praline. (PRALINE EXITS STAGE LEFT. SIDNEY
turns forward. He is a typical villain, greedy and cruel. He wears a
suit of the period, spats, perhaps a bowler hat, and has a moustache
that curls up on the ends. VILLAINOUS MUSIC COMES IN. SIDNEY
glances at TOFFEE, TAFFY, TOM and HUBERT, who are in their own
little world giggling and flirting. They continue to do so quietly in
the background.)
SIDNEY: (Turns back to face the audience, then crosses to DOWNSTAGE
to talk to them in an aside.) Sidney Swindle, here—I’m the villain
of this piece. (He gives a villainous laugh. The MUSIC STOPS.) I
just thought I’d get that out of the way. So Mrs. Candy’s niece,
Penny, and her baby are going to be moving in? Too bad. You see,
I’ve tried to persuade the old biddy to sell me The Sweet Shoppe,
but so far she has turned me down. I’m prepared to make one
final offer. If she refuses, then she will have to meet with a tragic
accident so that I can buy the property at public auction. In order
for that to happen, she must leave no heirs, which means if she
goes, then the niece and her little brat must go as well! (He gives
another laugh.) I guess you want to know why I’m so desperate
to take possession of the old woman’s business here, huh? Well,
I could just tell you, but I’ll go find the villainess, my partner in
crime, Ada Sourball, and we’ll cover it in the dialogue, okay? We’ll
be right back. Don’t go away, you hear? (He crosses to the door
STAGE RIGHT and EXITS.)
TOFFEE: (To HUBERT.) Miss Praline’s fudge is delicious. I can’t decide
what else to get.
TAFFY: (To TOM.) My favorite is her peanut brittle.
HUBERT: You know what Tom and I would really like? Some kisses.
TOFFEE: (Touches a basket.) They’re right here.
TOM: That’s not the kind we mean. (TOFFEE and TAFFY giggle.)
TAFFY: You’re just awful, Tom! Aren’t Tom and Hubert just awful, Toffee?
TOFFEE: Yes, they are, Taffy! (She whispers.) They’re awful cute. (The
GIRLS giggle.)
HUBERT: What do you say, girls? How about a little sample? (He and
TOM pucker their lips and make kissing noises.)
For preview only
3
TAFFY: Now, stop it!
TOFFEE: Do you want to get us fired?
TOM: Aw, Miss Praline would never fire you. She’s too tender-hearted.
HUBERT: Yeah, she’s as soft in the center as a chocolate-covered
caramel.
TOFFEE: (To HUBERT.) Well, you’re that soft in the head if you think I’m
going to kiss you in public.
HUBERT: Then let’s go someplace private. Can I meet you when the
store closes and walk you home... maybe through the park...
about sunset?
TOFFEE: Well...
TOM: That sounds like a good idea. What about you, Taffy? Can I walk
you home, too?
TAFFY: Well...
HUBERT: (To BOTH GIRLS.) You won’t be sorry. (He and TOM make the
kissing noises. The GIRLS squeal.)
TOFFEE: All right, we’ll go! Just stop it!
TAFFY: Yes, stop it! You look like a pair of guppies! (The BOYS laugh.)
TOM: We’ll be back about five-thirty. (He indicates the sacks the GIRLS
are holding.) Put those under the counter. We’ll pay for them then.
Let’s go, Hubert.
HUBERT: Till we return, ladies. (He and TOM tip their hats, cross to STAGE
RIGHT, turn back, make more kissing sounds, then EXIT. The GIRLS
break into giggles, still holding the candy bags.)
TAFFY: Those boys are just awful!
TOFFEE/TAFFY: Awful cute! (They giggle. Suddenly, we hear the CRASH
OF PANS from the kitchen. TOFFEE and TAFFY jump, startled. A beat
later, FARRON HEIT storms IN STAGE LEFT and crosses below the
counter and to DOWN CENTER. He is in his forties or older. He wears
white pants, shirt, long apron and chef’s hat and carries a spoon.)
FARRON: That’s it! A culinary artiste can not work under these conditions!
It’s impossible! (CINDY GRADE storms IN STAGE LEFT and crosses
to him. She, too, is middle-aged and wears a white dress, apron
and chef’s hat. She carries a ladle. PRALINE follows her IN and
stops DOWN LEFT.)
CINDY: You’re the one who’s impossible! The recipe tastes better with
dark chocolate!
For preview only
4
FARRON: Semi-sweet!
CINDY: Dark!
FARRON: Semi-sweet!
PRALINE: Farron! Cindy! Please! You can make a batch of each and let
the customers buy whichever they prefer.
FARRON: Well...
CINDY: I suppose...
PRALINE: You’re both wonderful cooks. I just wish you wouldn’t lose
your tempers so easily.
CINDY: I apologize, Miss Praline. I’ll wash the chocolate I flung off the
walls.
FARRON: And I’ll wash mine off the ceiling. I apologize as well, Miss
Praline... to you, but not to her! (He points his spoon at CINDY; to
her.) I am a creative genius. You are nothing but a clumsy candy
cooker!
CINDY: (Points her ladle at him.) Oh, yeah? Well, why don’t you go stick
your head into a vat of chocolate and create the world’s largest
chocolate covered peanut?! (FARRON gives a cry of outrage
and lunges at CINDY with the spoon. She parries with the ladle.
SPRIGHTLY MUSIC POPS IN as they proceed to sword fight with
their utensils.)
PRALINE: Farron! Cindy! Stop that! Suppose a customer should come in?
TOFFEE: This is better than a Mack Sennett comedy!
TAFFY: Yeah, but... Cindy! Farron! I think I smell something burning! (The
MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY. FARRON and CINDY freeze.)
FARRON: (Cries out, then to CINDY.) See what you’ve made me do? If
the batch of candy is ruined, it’s all your fault! (He rushes around
the counter to the door STAGE LEFT.)
CINDY: (Follows him.) Burning can only improve your candy! (They EXIT
STAGE LEFT.)
PRALINE: Oh, dear. Sometimes I wonder if hiring two cooks was a good
idea.
TAFFY: It was a great idea, Miss Praline. I think it’s because Cindy and
Farron keep trying to outdo each other that they keep coming up
with such wonderful recipes.
For preview only
5
TOFFEE: Yes, and they never would have invented those delicious peanut
clusters if Farron hadn’t flung some goobers at Cindy while she
was holding a bowl of chocolate.
PRALINE: I guess you’re right. Where are the young men?
TAFFY: They’ll be coming back later. We’ll put these under the counter
until they return. (She and TOFFEE cross behind the counter and
put the sacks on a shelf underneath.)
PRALINE: Very well. (She joins them behind the counter.) While you’re
not busy, I need you to cut some squares of wrapping for the bonbons when they’re ready. (She takes a box of foil and two pairs of
scissors from under the counter.) If Farron and Cindy can call a
truce long enough to make a batch.
TAFFY/TOFFEE: Yes, ma’am. (They cut off narrow strips of foil which they
cut into two-inch squares. The foil’s box is covered with plain brown
paper to hide any modern brand name on it.)
PRALINE: Sales have been so brisk today, I suppose I had better make
sure we’re not running low on any of our selections. (She crosses
around the UPSTAGE end of the counter and checks the candy
baskets UPSTAGE.) Gum drops... mints... jaw breakers... (A LIGHT,
SPRING-LIKE TUNE is heard as the door STAGE RIGHT opens and
PENNY CANDY ENTERS, carrying BABY RUTH, a doll wrapped in a
blanket, and a small valise or carpet bag. She wears a light-weight
coat over a long dress of the period, a hat and gloves and carries
a reticule. PENNY is a sweet, pretty girl in her early twenties—our
heroine.)
PENNY: Aunt Praline? (The MUSIC FADES OUT.)
PRALINE: Penny! (She rushes to her and hugs her.) Penny Candy! You’ve
arrived! Welcome, child.
PENNY: Thank you, Aunt Praline. How will I ever repay you for opening
your door... and your heart... to me and my Baby Ruth?
PRALINE: Hush up, now! We’re family, and families should be there for
one another. Let me see my new little niece. (She takes BABY
RUTH.) What a sweet little thing!
PENNY: And such a doll, too. Baby Ruth never cries.
PRALINE: Taffy, Toffee, come meet Penny. (TAFFY and TOFFEE cross below
the counter and join them.) Penny, these are my clerks, Toffee and
Taffy. They’ll show you how to wait on customers.
TAFFY: Miss Praline has told us all about you.
For preview only
6
TOFFEE: We’ve been looking forward to meeting you. (They shake hands
with PENNY.)
PENNY: And I, you. Aunt Praline has written me all about you and the
cooks and The Sweet Shoppe. I know I’m going to love it here.
PRALINE: And this is Baby Ruth.
TOFFEE/TAFFY: (Look at the baby.) Awwww. (They and PRALINE make
silly “kitchy-koo” type noises.)
TAFFY: She’s beautiful.
TOFFEE: Yeah—she’s a real doll.
PRALINE: I’ve prepared a bassinet for her in the kitchen so we can all
keep an eye on Baby Ruth during the day.
TOFFEE: And Taffy and I helped Miss Praline prepare a bedroom for you
in her apartment over the shop.
PENNY: The whole place smells like peppermint. I’ll love living over a
candy store.
PRALINE: Penny, why don’t you go with the girls up to your room where
you can freshen up? I’ll put Baby Ruth in her bassinet.
PENNY: All right, Aunt Praline.
TAFFY: (Picks up the valise.) I’ll take this for you.
TOFFEE: This way. (They lead PENNY to the door STAGE LEFT. PRALINE
follows, “goo-gooing” to the baby.) We were sorry to hear about
your husband, Penny.
PENNY: Thank you. Though the Fates can be cruel, they can also be
kind. After all, they brought me and my child to this secure haven.
What trouble could touch us now? (ALL EXIT STAGE LEFT.)
SIDNEY: (ENTERS after a beat at the door STAGE RIGHT, leaving it open,
and crosses to CENTER. VILLAINOUS MUSIC COMES IN. Aside.)
What trouble, indeed? (He gives another nasty chuckle. The MUSIC
HALTS.) I’m back. Sorry I took so long, but I told Ada to meet me
a block from her house, and she got lost. Between you and me,
she’s not the sharpest tack in the barrel. At any rate, it’s time to
bring her on. (He looks at the STAGE RIGHT door.) Pssst! Ada! The
coast is clear! (RAUNCHY MUSIC STRIKES UP as ADA SOURBALL
ENTERS STAGE RIGHT. She is attractive, but not too bright. She
wears a dress and a hat of the period. Her clothes are of a dark
color, perhaps burgundy.)
ADA: All right, already, I’m here! (The MUSIC HALTS.)
For preview only
7
SIDNEY: This is the store I was telling you about.
ADA: (Looks around.) It’s a nice little shop, but it would never make
anyone rich. So why do you want to buy it?
SIDNEY: (With a glance at the audience.) I was hoping you would ask.
(They step DOWNSTAGE.) This is top secret information, Ada.
Boston is soon to become the first city in America to build a
subway system.
ADA: Subway? What’s a subway?
SIDNEY: (Aside.) She got that question right, too! (He moves about; to
her.) A subway is an underground railway. Trains will someday carry
passengers under Boston from one end to the other.
ADA: Under the city? Like moles? I never heard of such a thing!
SIDNEY: It’s the wave of the future. The first subway was built in London
in 1863, 30-odd years ago. It was only a matter of time until one
would be constructed in the United States.
ADA: And the first subway here will be in Boston?
SIDNEY: Yes. What’s more, I’m negotiating a deal with the city council
to sell them the land where the tunnels will be dug. The main
entrance will be right where we’re standing, once I buy The Sweet
Shoppe and have it torn down. Without this piece of property,
the plan will fall through, and the land I’ve already bought will be
worthless. I’d be ruined, Ada, and I’m not about to let that happen!
(To audience.) You get all that?
ADA: So where do I come in?
SIDNEY: Now that you know where the shop is located, I want you to
come back tomorrow, when there are lots of customers here,
and buy some candy. Eat a piece, and pretend to get sick—act
like you’ve been poisoned. That should drive Praline Candy’s
customers away and ruin her business, whereupon I’ll make my
final offer to buy it. If that plan fails, I’ll... (He pulls a finger across
his neck in a cutting fashion.)
ADA: You’ll run your finger across your neck?
SIDNEY: Never mind! (Aside.) Now do you see why I’m the brains of this
outfit? (To ADA.) Let’s leave before anyone comes in and sees us
together. No one must suspect we’re in cahoots. (He takes her
arm and pulls her STAGE RIGHT.) Come on.
ADA: Okay! Okay! Easy on the material! (SIDNEY opens the door STAGE
RIGHT.) I just got one question.
For preview only
8
SIDNEY: What’s that?
ADA: Where’s “cahoots”? I thought we were in Boston.
SIDNEY: (Exasperated.) Ahhhhh! (He pulls her OUT STAGE RIGHT, then
closes the door. After a beat, PENNY ENTERS STAGE LEFT without
her coat, hat, etc. She has donned an apron. She crosses below
the counter to DOWN CENTER.)
PENNY: (To herself.) Ahhh... how fortunate am I, to know the comfort
and love of a family, and to have shared love with a wonderful
man, my dear late husband, Reese. Though I shall never forget
him, perhaps I shall find love again someday... an earnest, noble
man to be a help-mate and a father to my Baby Ruth.
ERNEST: (ENTERS STAGE RIGHT. He is a policeman, dressed in a uniform
of the period. ERNEST is our hero, a nice-looking, brave and kind
young man.) Oh, hello. I haven’t seen you in The Sweet Shoppe
before. Are you a new clerk?
PENNY: Yes, I am, Officer. I’m Praline Candy’s niece, Penny Candy.
ERNEST: (Offers his hand.) I’m pleased to meet you. (PENNY extends her
hand.) I’m Ernest Noble. (They touch hands to shake. ROMANTIC
MUSIC SWEEPS IN; for a couple of beats, they freeze, overwhelmed
by the feeling that courses through them, then they release their
hands and the MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY. Both feel awkward, stunned
by love at first touch.)
ERNEST: I...
PENNY: I...
ERNEST: (Turns forward, to himself.) How lovely is this pretty Penny! I
should do my duty and arrest Cupid, for he has surely shot an
arrow through my heart!
PENNY: (Turns forward, to herself.) Can this be love again, so soon?
Has Fate sent me another to fill dear Reese’s shoes... wherever
they are? (They break their reverie and turn STAGE LEFT as there
is a SCREAM from CINDY, OFF STAGE LEFT. She bursts through the
door STAGE LEFT and runs DOWN LEFT, followed by FARRON, who
is brandishing a large knife.)
FARRON: You kitchen witch! I’m going to kill you! (He and CINDY freeze
as they see ERNEST. FARRON quickly puts the knife behind his
back. To ERNEST.) Just kidding!
CINDY: Hello, Officer Noble.
ERNEST: Ms. Grade, Mr. Heit, is there a problem?
For preview only
9
FARRON: A problem? No, no problem! (He puts an arm around CINDY’S
shoulder.) Everything’s fine.
CINDY: (A growl under her breath to FARRON.) Move it or lose it! (FARRON
hastily drops his arm. To ERNEST.) I think everything will be all
right, Officer... now.
FARRON: (Backs to the door STAGE LEFT.) Uh... Cindy... I believe I was
about to show you the proper way to cut the fudge.
CINDY: (Follows him.) The day I need you to show me anything, I’ll let
you know! (They EXIT STAGE LEFT.)
PENNY: You don’t suppose he...?
ERNEST: Would hurt Cindy? Not a chance. They fight all the time, but
underneath, I suspect they care a great deal for each other.
PENNY: I hope so, Officer.
ERNEST: Please, call me Ernest.
PENNY: Ernest. And you may call me Penny.
ERNEST: Penny...
PRALINE: (ENTERS STAGE LEFT.) Penny, I... oh, hello, Ernest. I see you’ve
met my niece.
ERNEST: Miss Candy, yes.
PRALINE: It’s Mrs. Candy. Penny is my niece by marriage.
ERNEST: Marriage? (To PENNY.) You’re married?
PENNY: I was. My late husband, Reese, a sailor, now lies beneath the
salty brine. (She wipes away a tear.)
ERNEST: How sad! (Aside.) And how that single tear makes me want to
hold and comfort her!
PENNY: I shall always treasure his memory, and the legacy he left behind,
a daughter, my precious Baby Ruth.
ERNEST: You have a child? I love children.
PENNY: You do? (Aside.) What a tender heart beats beneath that shiny
badge!
PRALINE: Would you like to see her? Baby Ruth is sleeping soundly in
her bassinet beside the oven.
ERNEST: I would love to look upon the innocent babe.
PRALINE: Penny?
For preview only
10
PENNY: This way... Ernest. (ERNEST follows her as she crosses to the
door STAGE LEFT. They EXIT.)
PRALINE: (To herself.) If I know true love when I see it, then my darling
Penny has found the one to ease her heartache, and brave Officer
Noble has met the girl who can make his life complete. Ah, young
love... (She sighs. The ROMANTIC MUSIC FADES BACK IN as the
LIGHTS LOWER TO BLACKOUT and the CURTAIN CLOSES.)
Scene Two
The park. About sunset.
During the BLACKOUT, STAGEHANDS set free-standing trees DOWN LEFT
and DOWN RIGHT on the apron. The MUSIC FADES OUT as the LIGHTS
COME UP. We hear VOICES from OFF DOWN LEFT.
TOM’S VOICE: (OFF DOWN LEFT.) Come on now, Taffy.
HUBERT’S VOICE: (OFF DOWN LEFT.) You promised, Toffee. (TAFFY and
TOFFEE giggle OFF DOWN LEFT, then ENTER DOWN LEFT and run
to DOWN CENTER, still giggling, followed by TOM and HUBERT who
carry their sacks of candy from the store. TOFFEE and TAFFY carry
reticules. They wear light-weight coats and girlish hats.)
TOM: I just ate one of my peppermints, so I’m real kissable!
HUBERT: So did I! (The BOYS make kissing sounds. The GIRLS giggle.)
TAFFY: You stand right there while we discuss it. (She and TOFFEE huddle
facing UPSTAGE, away from the BOYS and the audience.) What do
you think, Toffee?
TOFFEE: I guess we do owe them a kiss. Hubert’s right, we did promise.
TAFFY: That’s right, we did. All right, boys, pucker up, We’re going to
plant some big ones on you. (TOM and HUBERT are jittery with
excitement. TAFFY and TOFFEE turn toward them. They have removed
big, red, wax lips from their pockets or reticules and put them on
their mouths. TOM and HUBERT yelp, startled, and TOM jumps into
HUBERT’S arms. [NOTE: HUBERT catches TOM like a baby with one
arm around his back and the other under his bent knees. This can
be vice-versa with TOM catching HUBERT. If one actor is smaller
than the other, if the large man can jump into the smaller one’s
arms, the effect will be especially comical.] The GIRLS remove the
lips and double over laughing.)
HUBERT: What in the world?!
TAFFY: They’re wax lips.
End of script preview.
11
PRODUCTION NOTES
PROPERTIES
ONSTAGE: On shelves: baskets of candy; on counter: baskets of
candy, paper bags, pencils, cash register; under counter—roll of tin
foil, scissors.
OFFSTAGE: Candy for contest prizes.
BROUGHT ON, Scene One: Sack of candy, reticule with coins (MRS.
MURPHY); spoon, knife (FARRON); ladle (CINDY); valise, doll, reticule
(PENNY).
BROUGHT ON, Scene Two: Sack of candy (TOM, HUBERT); reticules
with fake red lips (TOFFEE, TAFFY); caramels for contest (SIDNEY); doll
(PENNY).
BROUGHT ON, Scene Three: Sack of candy, reticule with coins (MRS.
MURPHY); marshmallows (MINNIE); trays of fudge (FARRON, CINDY).
BROUGHT ON, Scene Four: Doll (TAFFY).
BROUGHT ON, Scene Five: Wire (SIDNEY); doll (ADA).
SOUND EFFECTS
Crash of pans, old-fashioned police sirens.
COSTUMES
Check the script for specific details. As the play takes place over two
days, you might want to have the women change dresses and the men
change shirts to help denote the passage of time. Exceptions would be
the characters who wear uniforms: ERNEST, FARRON and CINDY. Also,
SIDNEY could wear the same dark suit throughout. The WOMEN can
wear light-weight coats and hats for outdoor scenes, or if coming into
the store from outside.
MUSIC
Music should be of the period. You’ll need the following types: villainous,
romantic, raunchy, light-hearted, dramatic, frantic and chase.
MISCELLANEOUS
As a fund raiser, a week or so before the play opens, you might consider
selling Baby Ruth candy bars with fliers for the play wrapped around
them. You could sell candy at the performances too, of course. Selections
should include Baby Ruths and Reese’s Pieces. If you live in the South
where they’re available, Goo Goo Clusters would also be a good choice.
For preview only
35
Your stagehands can be used as EXTRAS, as well as your ushers, so
that The Sweet Shoppe can appear to attract lots of customers.
As an extra treat for your audience, you might wish to include the following
section in your program.
AUNT PRALINE’S SWEET SHOPPE CANDY RECIPES
SAUCE PAN PEANUT BUTTER CANDY
1
1
11/2
4
cup sugar
cup light corn syrup
cups peanut butter
cups corn flakes
Bring sugar and syrup to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter
and corn flakes. Drop by spoon onto wax paper. Dry.

MARSHMALLOW FUDGE
2
cups sugar
2
/3
cup evaporated milk
1
/2
cup butter or margarine
dash salt
12
regular marshmallows
cups miniature marshmallows
11/4
6
ounces chocolate chips
1
teaspoon vanilla
1
/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans
In a sauce pan, mix sugar, milk, butter, salt and marshmallows. Stir
over medium heat until it comes to a good boil. Boil 5 minutes, stirring
constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips, vanilla and nuts.
Spread in buttered 8x9-inch square pan.
For preview only
36
PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE BALLS
2
11/2
1
/2
1
1
1
1
sticks margarine, melted
cups graham cracker crumbs
cup chopped pecans
cup angel-flake coconut
box powdered sugar
12 oz. jar crunchy peanut butter
package candy-quik squares, chocolate
Mix all of the ingredients except chocolate squares, thoroughly. Shape
into balls. Melt chocolate and dip balls into chocolate mixture, then
spoon onto waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Let cool.

MARSHMALLOW BON-BONS
/2 cup chocolate fudge ice cream topping
/2 cup caramel flavored ice cream topping
40 large marshmallows
Assorted candy decors such as chocolate shot, colored
shot, chopped nuts, flaked coconut or cinnamon
candies
1
1
In separate sauce pans over low heat, melt the chocolate and caramel
ice cream toppings, stirring constantly. Set out marshmallows and candy
decors. For each bon-bon, spear a marshmallow onto a toothpick, dip it
in a topping, then roll in choice of decor.

CHERRY ALMOND TOFFEE
1
/4
1
11/2
1
3
cup finely chopped toasted almonds
cup chopped candied cherries
cup butter (NOT margarine)
cups packed brown sugar
6 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips
Line 13x9x2 inch baking pan with foil. Butter the foil and sprinkle nuts
and cherries evenly over it. Butter sides of a 2-quart sauce pan. Melt
butter over low heat, then stir in brown sugar. Cook on medium high
until boiling sugar disolves, about 4 minutes. Cook on medium, stirring
frequently, approximately 15 minutes. Quickly pour into pan and sprinkle
on chocolate chips. Spread mixture when chips are melted. Cool and
break into pieces.
For preview only
37
ALMOND DELIGHT
24
1
1
1
/8
2
1
squares white chocolate
can condensed milk
teaspoon almond flavoring
teaspoon salt
cups toasted almonds
cup almond brickle chips
Mix chocolate and milk. Microwave on high 2–3 minutes. Stir until
smooth. Add salt, flavoring, almonds and chips. Spread evenly in pan
lined with waxed paper. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Break into pieces.

COCONUT PEAKS
/4
4
4
11/2
1
3
cup cold mashed potatoes
cups confectioner’s sugar
cups shredded coconut
teaspoons vanilla
dash salt
6 oz. package chocolate chips
Combine potatoes, sugar, coconut, vanilla and salt. Form into peaks
(about 1 tablespoon) and let stand 20 minutes on waxed paper. Dip
bottom of coconut peak into melted chocolate. Store in refrigerator.

WHITE FUDGE
21/4
/2
1
/4
2
1
1
/4
2
1
1
/3
1
cups sugar
cup dairy sour cream
cup milk
tablespoons butter
tablespoon light corn syrup
teaspoon salt
teaspoons vanilla
cup chopped walnuts
cup candied cherries
Combine sugar, sour cream, milk, butter, corn syrup and salt in heavy
2-quart sauce pan. Stir over moderate heat until sugar is disolved and
mixture reaches a boil. Boil over moderate heat 9–10 minutes. Remove
from heat and let stand about 1 hour. Add vanilla and beat until mixture
just begins to lose its gloss and holds its shape. Quickly stir in walnuts
and cherries and turn into greased pan. Let stand until firm, then cut.
For preview only
38
PRALINE PEANUT PATTIES
2
/3
1
/2
1
/4
1
2
11/2
2
cups sugar
cup evaporated milk
cup light corn syrup
teaspoon salt
cup sifted powdered sugar
teaspoons vanilla
cups dry roasted peanuts
Butter sides of heavy 2 quart sauce pan. In it, combine sugar, milk,
syrup and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves
and mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking to 234º on candy
thermometer or to soft ball stage, stirring occasionally. Remove from
heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla; mix well. Stir in peanuts. Drop
by tablespoons onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet.

CARAMEL FUDGE
21/2
1
1
/2
1
/2
1
/4
1
cups sugar
cup evaporated milk
cup sugar
stick margarine
teaspoon salt
teaspoon vanilla
In a large sauce pan, mix 21/2 cups sugar and evaporated milk. Place
over low heat and stir constantly until it comes to a rolling boil. Set
aside. Caramelize 1/2 cup sugar. Keep temperature of milk mixture hot
to prevent lumping. Pour caramel into milk, stirring as you pour. Stir and
cook until fudge holds together and forms a soft ball. Add margarine,
vanilla and salt. Beat mixture until thick and creamy. Pour into buttered
dish. This also makes a great cake icing.
For preview only
39
CHEDDAR CHEESE FUDGE
2
1
1
/2
11/2
11/2
1
/2
cups shredded Cheddar cheese
cup butter
cup cocoa
pounds confectioner’s sugar
cups nonfat dry milk powder
teaspoon vanilla
Have all ingredients at room temperature; combine in large bowl. Beat
until creamy. (You might need to moisten mixture with 1/4 cup whole
milk.) Put in buttered 9 inch square pan. Chill. When firm, cut candy in
64 squares. Makes about 31/2 pounds. (Drained chopped maraschino
cherries, flaked coconut, miniature marshmallows or chopped nuts may
be added.)

SEAFOAM CANDY
3
1
1
2
1
cups brown sugar
cup water
tablespoon vinegar
egg whites
teaspoon vanilla
Mix sugar, water and vinegar together in a sauce pan and boil until a
little dropped in cold water forms a hard ball. Remove from heat and
pour slowly over beaten egg whites. Beat continually with a rotary beater
until mixture stiffens. Add vanilla and continue beating until creamy and
stiff. Turn onto buttered pan or drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Top
with walnut pieces, if desired.

Y y      y  y’   !
For preview only
40
We hope you’ve enjoyed this script sample.
We encourage you to read the entire script before making
your final decision.
You may order a paper preview copy or gain instant
access to the complete script online through our E-view
program. We invite you to learn more and create an
account at www.pioneerdrama.com/E-view.
Thank you for your interest in our plays and musicals. If you’d
like advice on other plays or musicals to read, our customer
service representatives are happy to assist you when you call
800.333.7262 during normal business hours.
www.pioneerdrama.com
800.333.7262
Outside of North America 303.779.4035
Fax 303.779.4315
PO Box 4267
Englewood, CO 80155-4267
We’re here to help!