F-63
MADELINE' S INVITATION RESCUE
A ONE-ACT PLAY FOR FOUNDERS DAY
By Maggie Guenwald, Chapter CN - Racine, WI (1988)
CHARACTERS:
Founder #1
Founder #2
Founder #3
Founder #4
Founder #5
Founder #6
Founder #7
IPS Student
Mrs. Stilley
2-3 P.E.O. Members
Chapter President
Madeline
Commentator
COMMENTATOR: The time is the present. A young girl named Madeline comes home from school. Madeline is 18 and will soon graduate from high school. Her head is filled with lots of things. Why are there homeless? Will my new jeans fit me this weekend even though I ate an entire package of Girl Scout cookies? Why does my friend Mary always seem so sad? I know that her parents do not treat her kindly, but why does she take it all the time? Will I have a date for Saturday night? How will I pay for college? What do I want to be? I know Mom wants me to be a teacher, but there is no way I would ever do that! As Madeline continues to ponder all this, never seeming to find an answer, she finds a piece of mail addressed to her.
Madeline: Gosh, what could this be? It feels thick, sort of like a wedding invitation or something.
COMMENTATOR: As she opens it up,she sinks into a chair with a puzzled look on her face.
Madeline: You are cordially invited to become...why, this is an invitation to join P.E.O... Now I've seen it all! As if I don't have enough going on in my mind.
COMMENTATOR: Madeline dropsthe invitation into the wastebasket, curls up in the chair and dozes off. All of a sudden she is awakened by someone pulling the invitation from the basket.
Madeline: Good heavens! Who in the world are you? How did you get in here? What do you have in your hand?
Founder #1: My name is Franc Rhodes Elliot and I couldn't help but overhear what you were saying a few minutes ago.
Madeline: But, your clothes...you're so different to look at. I…I don't understand.
Founder #1: Of course not, my dear. I have come to visit you from a long time ago. I lived over one hundred years ago. When I heard the letters, P.E.O., I just had to come and find out what was going on.
Madeline: What do you mean, 100 years ago? Are you a ghost?
Founder #1: Well, I guess some might call me that. I prefer to be known simply as a premonition. Anyway, no one can see me but you. I wanted it that way. I just came to see what this was all about. I noted a questioning tone in your voice. I came to set the record straight. I am one of the seven founders of P.E.O. If I cannot set you straight, no one can! MayI sit down?
Madeline: Why, of course, please do. (She ushers her to a chair)
Founder #1: Thanks so much, honey, that feels good. These old high button shoes may LOOK great, but believe me, they are mighty short on comfort. By the way, what kind of shoes are you wearing? Oh, never mind . . . they do look more comfortable than these. Anyway, I did not come back down here to talk about shoes. Now, Madeline, what ABOUT P.E.O.?
Madeline: Oh, well, I got this in the mail. I really don't know much about P.E.O. ...just that my mother and grandmother are P.E.O.s. I guess it always seemed sort of silly to me.
Founder#1: Oh. How so?
Madeline: Well, I remember how funny my mom got on P.E.O. night. Whenshe would have the meeting here, she would clean like crazy. Do you know we could not even use the upstairs bathroom for fear we’d get the sink smeary. Then, we all had to leave the house. Dad would usually take us to McDonald's and then off somewhere. Now, what kind of impression would THAT give a child about P.E.O.?
Founder #1: You've got a point there. Here is someone who might be able to help. Come in, Ella.
Founder #2: Hello, Madeline. I am Ella Stewart and I couldn't help but overhear all this. (turning to Founder #1) Hello, Franc, lovely to see you. Now Madeline, I heard your comments and do you mean to tell me that the only time your mother cleaned the house and bathroom was when she was having P.E.O. in her home?
Madeline: No, that's not what I meant…I…I
Founder #2: Now, let's be fair about this. Let me check my KNOW ALL, SEE ALL, TELL ALL book.
(Madeline stretches to see, but Ella pulls the book toward herself) Yes, Yes, I see. I see a Christmas party your mother had many years ago. What's that I see? Why, yes, it is a can of AJAX, THE FOAMING CLEANSER…what is she doing? Why, she is cleaning the bathroom. Aha, who is that walking in the bathroom...why it is you, Madeline. Your mom has just told you to use the OTHER bathroom and keep this one clean for company.
Madeline: What in the world???
Founder #2: Oh, wait one minute...Madeline, nowI see YOU with that same can of Ajax andYOU are getting ready for a party and you clean frantically. In comes your brother...GET OUT OF HERE, you shout to him. Use the other bathroom. Keep this one clean for my party. Gosh, Madeline, now the shoe is on the other foot. Do you suppose this means that no one will like parties because we equate them with keeping things clean? (Madeline shakes her head) No, of course not. Now, what other misconceptions can we help you clear up, my dear?
Madeline: I'm only 18. All P.E.O.s are OLD. My dad said that the average age of all P.E.O.s must be 100. I am too young to be with old people.
Founder #3: Old? What's that I hear? Why hello, ladies, lovely to see you. And you, Madeline, you talk about old? What do you consider OLD, my dear?
COMMENTATOR: Madeline stares in disbelief as still another strange looking figureenters her room.
Madeline: I guess I don't know too many of my mom'sP.E.O. friends, but I just assumed....
Founder #1: Assuming can be a very dangerous thing to do, Madeline, when you are generalizing and do so unfairly. A young lady may become a P.E.O. at the age of 16. Some do, some wait and are not invited until they are much older. It really doesn't matter. Yes,you are used to spending time with people your own age, but think back to that summer with your grandmother many years ago. You thought you would miss your friends, but you and your grandmother had such a marvelous time and hadSO much in common. Remember meeting some of grandma's friends...the ones who graduated from, the same high school that you did? What laughs you had as you exchanged stories about the school...but with 25 years in between.
Founder #2:Yes, Madeline, ages vary, but we all benefit by spending time with others...older, younger, the same age. We have a lot to learn from each other.....and remember, Madeline, those OLDER ladies have SONS and GRANDSONS, Sweetie!
Madeline: (SMILING) I guess I get what you are saying. Now that I think about it, I can talk to my mom about most anything. She's cool, she's been there. I guess it really isn't fair to judge people by their age is it?
Founder #1: Of course not, Madeline. Remember, you will not always be 18. Someday, some young 18 year old, perhaps even YOUR daughter, will be looking at YOU as being old.
COMMENTATOR: MADELINE SHRUGS AND BEGINS TO PACE, WANTING TO ASK SOMETHING, BUT SHE IS NOT SURE WHAT SHE SHOULD ASK
Madeline: OK,all of this is true, but it is not meaningful to me at this point. Why don't I just wait until I am older...and then join P.E.O.?
(Founder # 4 WALKS IN)
Founder #4: That certainly is a possibility, Madeline, but there is no guarantee that will happen. You may be in an area with no P.E.O.chapters. Also, you will find out that being asked to become a P.E.O. is not something to be taken lightly. It takes a great deal of thought and love. I know you don't understand all of this, but let's look in MY book for aminute.
(Founder #4 opens her book and pages through)
Madeline: You have one of those books, too?
Founder #4: I see YOU, Madeline. You are on that class choir trip some years back. You are lonely, sad…homesick and a LONG way from home…do you remember? A lady walks up to you and says, “Are you from Wisconsin?” You nod and she says that she is, too. Immediately, your spirits lift! Do you remember how you felt? You were thrilled. You and the lady had a nice conversation about things you had in common. Your day was saved!
Madeline: How do you know all this? How do you know how I felt?
Founder #3: Now, I look in MY book and I see your mom. Yes, the year is 1952. She has just moved to town and knows no one. She feels much like you on your choir trip. Then, the phone rings. It is from a P.E.O. and your mother is invited to a meeting. Remember, Madeline, the relief you felt at finding another lady from Wisconsin? Imagine how your mother felt getting that call.
Madeline: OK, OK, that's all fine and true,but I also have college to think about. Why in the world should I join P.E.O. and then go off to college? Wait, what am I even saying...college is a dilemma for me at this point. I don't know what I want to do.
(A STRANGE FIGURE WALKS IN....SHE IS DRESSED IN APPAREL FROM THE 1920's)
Madeline: Now WHAT? Are you another of the founders?
Ms.Cottey: Heavens, no, my dear. We are nearly the same vintage, but not quite. Anyway, thanks to these lovely ladies and their peers, my college and name live on. Cottey's the name.
Madeline: Your college? Your name? What in the world are you talking about?
Ms Cottey: Well, Madeline, I am sure you look at all of us as though we are right out of a museum, but, let me tell you, we were the true feminists of our day. You see, honey, during our time many felt an education was not important for a female. Many felt that a woman should be content with a home, husband, and family. These ladies and I felt differently. We all felt we had something to contribute to the world. Cottey College was my life. I knew it could not go on alone. I looked very hard to find a person or group to take over this monumental task for me. I had heard of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. I knew what these ladies were like...they were like me!
Madeline: You mean you gave them your college?
Ms. Cottey: Well, sort of. They took over the running of the college. By his time, there were many P.E.O. chapters throughout the United States. These P.E.O. sisters support the college. It has been over 50 years and Cottey College is still going strong.
Madeline: Are you saying that I could go to Cottey?
Ms. Cottey: Of course, my dear, and for someone in your particular situation, you know, undecided...you must be realisticabout cost. Cottey is a bargain, not to mention that you’ll get to know others from all over the country. Nevada, Missouri does not SOUND like a place we've all heard of, but there are plenty of Cottey grads who have gone on to do wonderful things!
Founder #5: Yes, Cottey is great. We all are so proud. Now, let's take a look over here. What do you see, Madeline?
Madeline: Why, it is my mom and her chapter’s there. I see Mrs. Stilley—she was my kindergarten teacher and the best teacher I ever had. And over there...that lady, why that is that lady from the Philippines, I think she came and talked to our high school sociology class. What is she doing there?
Founder #4: Shhh, Madeline...listen to what is going on.
COMMENTATOR: The P.E.O. meeting comes to life. The lady from the Philippines begins to speak.
Lady: I just can't thank you enough for all that you have done for me. Without your granting me the International Peace Scholarship, I could never have come to this country to learn all that I did.
Madeline: You mean the P.E.O.s gave her money to come here? If I remember right, she was learning some kind of special nursing. Now I know why. This is fantastic. Can she stay here?
Founder #1: Listen!
CHAPTER PRESIDENT: It was a pleasure knowing you and you must know that P.E.O.s all over were responsible for your coming here. I know how much you miss your homeland and, you know, that the idea of the International Peace Scholarship is to gain knowledge here and take it home again. We will look forward to hearing from you.
Madeline: NOW I GET IT! Who is that other lady...isn't that Mrs. Barker from down the street?
Founder #3: Yes, Madeline, it is. Mrs. Barker works hard. She has no husband and had found she must survive on her own. Your very own mother heard about her plight and asked the P.E.O. chapter for help.
Founder #2: Yes, Madeline, your mom spoke with the chapter, and then to Mrs. Barker. As a result, Mrs. Barker was awarded a Continuing Education grant to help her back in to the work force. I believe she was once a teacher and just needed a few courses.
Founder #1: This grant is offered through the International Chapter, Madeline, but your mother's chapter helps her as well.
Madeline: What do you mean?
Ms. Cottey: Well, dear, they help her with babysitting when they can and have tried to include her in some social things that they do. I heard she was invited to become a P.E.O.
Madeline: Can she come to a meeting if she is not a P.E.O.?
Founder #6: No, she cannot be present during the business meeting, but it looks to me as though this is more of a social hour.
Founder $7: Have your questions been answered, Madeline?
Madeline: I guess so...well, no. Are there anymore things the P.E.O.s are doing...and, what about all this secrecy stuff?
Founder #7: The P.E.O.s are very concerned with the education of young women, such as you, Madeline. We also have something called the Educational Loan Fund. We will lend money to needy women and help them attend college.
Founder #2: We also have the HELP Fund, Madeline. I could go on and on...if I could generalize for just a minute...I would have to say we are an organization OF women FOR women. Does that make sense?
Madeline: Yes, and I know a lot more about P.E.O. than I ever thought of....
Founder # 6: The secrecy? You are not sure about the secrecy, right?