A Dialogue Between Two Minds

    By Jen F.


    Explanation: Before the whole turmoil in Persuasion, a young Anne Eliot and Frederick Wentworth enjoy their engagement by having some banter. Anne, however, is a tad bit skittish about admitting her love for the young sailor and attempts to weasel out of saying so.

    A= Anne. F=Frederick

    A: What is it, my dearest?

    F: Isn't amazing how you can transcend everything?

    A: Why is it remarkable? You have always done so with me.

    F: Do you have to be so obstinate?

    A: Only when you give me reason to do so.

    F: Anne..

    A: Yes, dearest.

    F: You frustrate me!

    A: Quite sorry.

    F: I just wanted to declare how much I lo-

    A: Frederick, please don't.

    F: Pardon?

    A: I am quite serious.

    F: Pardon?

    A: Oh, you are so frustrating.

    F: Anne...

    A: Pardon?

    F: I love you.

    A: Don't.

    F: Can't.

    A: Why not?

    F: It's unconquerable.

    A: Is it?

    F: Yes.

    A: Oh.

    F: Is that all you have to say?

    A: :No...(kisses him)

    F: Well .. I'm ... um ... speechless.

    A: So, was it a good answer?

    F: I don't know.

    A: What!

    F: Well, I think you will have to repeat it.

    A: You think?

    F: Yes.

    A: Sorry.

    F: Pardon?

    A: If you didn't hear well the first time, sssorr (Frederick kisses her)...well..hmm..That's interesting.

    F: Pardon?

    A: And not what I expected.

    F: What did you expect?

    A: I don't know. Something better.

    F: I have been told in my time that I'm a perfectly good-

    A: Really? By whom? Do I have the pleasure of knowing their acquaintance?

    F: Nobody important, dearest.

    A: I see. As I am the only person important here, am I correct?

    F: Yes, dearest.

    A: So, when I say you are not a good..er...answerer..I would be..This is immature behavior.

    F: I have to say, dearest, if this is immature...I quite like it.

    A: Do you, now?

    F: Quite.

    A: Doesn't seem so.

    F: Doesn't it?

    A: No.

    F: Why not?

    A: Well, you are talking.

    F: That's what women want, right?

    A: What?

    F: You know, men to talk to.

    A: If God thought all that women wanted to do was talk, why do you think She invented men?

    F: God's a woman now?

    A: Of course.

    F: Why?

    A: Sorry. Was distracted. Why what?

    F: Why is God a woman?

    A: Because...Frederick.

    F: What?

    A: Stop doing that.

    F: Pardon? What am I doing?

    A: Stop looking at me like that.

    F: How am I looking at you?

    A: Like that.

    F: Is that good?

    A: Very good.

    F: So. I should continue doing this, right?

    A: I should hope so.

    F: Anne...

    A: Yessss...

    F: Why is God a woman?

    A: Who else but a woman would have known I needed a man like you?

    F: Good answer.

    A: I know.

    F: If I was coherent I could debate this.

    A: Really?

    F: Yes. But I am not coherent.

    A: Why ever not?

    F: You see, it's occurred about three months ago.

    A: Oh no.

    F: Pardon, you interrupted me!

    A: Well, you were about to be sappy.

    F: What is wrong with that? I was trying to be romantic!

    A: Frederick.

    F: Women! So hard to understand.

    A: Frederick.

    F: First they say I want this.. I want that. Say it this way..

    A: Frederick.

    F: No...I didn't want you to say that. God is a woman because she put women on earth to frustrate me! Why! Why!

    A: FREDERICK WENTWORTH!

    F: What?!

    A: Would you just shut up and kiss me!

    F: Oh.(long pause)Was that better?

    A: Much better.

    F: Good.

    A: But, Frederick.

    F: Yes, dearest?

    A: It could use more practice.

    F: Oh. That can be arranged.

    A: What time?

    F: I don't know. When are you available?

    A: How about now?

    F: That definitely can be arranged.

    A: I'm looking forward to it.

    F: Anne..

    A: Yes?

    F: I love you.

    A: Oh. That's nice.

    F: Glad you think so.

    A: I know.

    F: Maybe I should go.

    A: Frederick..

    F: What?

    A: I love you too.

    The End


    © 2003 Copyright held by the author.