Dialog Study #1 "Good Morning": To tell a story with only dialog starting with an every day greeting and exploring its differences when used in particular situations (i.e. a married couple, strangers, during a fight, ect).

A Married Couple:

-Good morning dear.

-Mmph, what's so good about it?

-Andrew, don't start with me, at least not today.

-Sorry dear. I forgot.

-Hmm, I knew it was asking too much of you to just give me today.

-I said I was sorry, what more do you want? I know how important this is to you and I really do want everything to go smoothly for you today, I just forgot to turn my brain on so early in the morning.

-You're right, you're right. I know you care, it's just…

-I know dear. How 'bout I make us some coffee while you pop into the shower and make yourself all pretty.

-Alright.

-Darling, it's not an omen. Everything is going to work out just fine. Just wash this whole bad start off and then come down stairs for a nice cup of coffee. Hey we can even pretend that's how our day really started and everything.

-Alright.

-See, now doesn't that feel better.

-Yes dear.

-Now for coffee.

-Half cream, two sugars, and a spoonful of honey.

-Dear, that's not coffee.

-Your right it's better.

-Hmph, As you wish my dear.

-Are you sure you don't want to come with me?

-As tempting as that sounds, I really do need to show up to this meeting today. It took me two weeks to pin Tom down and he finally agreed to squeeze me in for a lunch meeting.

-Oh alright, it's probably for the best anyway. Darling what dress should I wear?

-The blue one, it makes you look confident and completely sure of your self.

-Lord knows I need all the confidence I can get.

-Don't worry so much, everything will turn out just fine.

-You really don't know that for sure, but I'm going to believe you anyway.

-I do know so and I also know if you don't get in that shower this instant, you'll be late to catch the train and then you'll have something you can actually worry about.

-Alright, Alright! I'll be down in ten and I expect that coffee piping hot, you hear me piping.

-Yes dear, of course dear, anything you say dear. Now get.

Strangers:

-Good Morning

-Yes, I suppose it is.

-Are you waiting for the 10:15 to Harting?

-No, no I'm waiting for someone.

-Would it be rude of me to ask who?

-Not really. It's my niece; she is stopping to visit me on her way home to her mother's.

-Oh, that must be nice.

-Not really, she really is only using the visit as an excuse so she doesn't have to pay for a hotel and to get a free meal or two. She isn't a very mature girl despite her age.

-Hmm. How old is she then?

-She has been twenty-nine for the last three years.

-I have a half sister around that age. She is much the same, refusing to accept the fact she is growing older and needs to settle down.

-Maggie, my niece that is, likes to pretend she's settled. She's playing house with this bum who claims to write for a living, as if that is a proper career. It was a disgrace to the family when she eloped with him two years ago. Not even a proper wedding, one of those god awful themed Vegas things. The two of them are wearing masked in their wedding photos. Her grandmother, my mother, nearly died of shame.

-Hmm. She sounds like she has quite the personality. That writer fellow probably finds her quite the inspiration.

-Exactly! He is using her for his own benefit; after she finally grows up he will only discard her and find a new thing to inspire him. Hmmph, that cad.

-Ummm, right, cad. Hmm well only time will tell.

-Yes, the loose will show his true colors soon enough. By the by, what is your business in Harding anyway?

-I have a lunch meeting to discuss a writer of mine's next book.

-Oh, ummm, I think I see Maggie's train pulling in. I probably should, umm, yes go and meet her on the platform. Umm, good luck with that book thing then.

-Good bye then, pleasant chatting with you. Hope everything turns out alright with that niece of yours.

-Right, ummm, good bye.

In a Fight:

-Good Morning. How was your trip?

-Good Morning Mom. Just fine. I saw Uncle Joshua on my way down, he sends his best.

-That's nice.

-Yes, it is… Mom?

-Yes dear?

-Umm. I don't quite know how to tell you this, but…

-Spit it out dear, what ever it is it can't be that important, it's not like your pregnant or something.

-Umm, actually I am.

-What!

- Andrew and I are having a baby.

-I heard you the first time! What are you thinking! You can't be pregnant; you don't have enough money to raise a child right now! And alone no less, if that man can't even be troubled to come with you to break the bad news, then he probably won't be there to raise the kid.

-Now mother! Andrew is doing just fine for himself with both the job at the paper and the upcoming book. Just yesterday he met with his editor to discuss the possibility of another book. That's why he isn't here with me. And my job couldn't be anymore secure; they already promised me to keep my position for me while on maternity leave. Not that they could find a new algebra teacher who would be willing to take on my teaching load.

-Books are not a steady paycheck and I would hardly call that teaching job livable wages, especial when supporting a family.

-Mom, can't you be happy for me? I've wanted to have a baby for the last year and a half, you know that.

-Yes, but I never though you were that stupid, I thought you were only joking!

-Joking! Joking about having a baby? Who jokes about having a baby?

-Well I thought you did. You were always a peculiar child, making jokes about numbers and such. Really! What else was there for me to think?

-That I wanted to have a baby!

-But you're not ready to have a baby! You're not mature enough for a baby; you're married for a writer for goodness sake.

-Why does it always come back to that? Andrew is a wonderful writer and a wonderful man and he will be a wonderful father also.

-You don't know that for sure.

-Actually I do. Andrew has a daughter already! Her name is Sophie and he is the best father I've ever known excluding Daddy.

-What daughter? He's never been married before. Wait, no! That scoundrel! How is this supposed to make me think any better of him?

-He had her with his first girlfriend when he was just out of high school. It was a mistake yes, but he owns up to his mistakes and though they didn't want to get married, he has always been there for both of them. And who are you to judge anyway, you had me when you were eighteen!

-I was married!

-Yes, a baby born a month too early at whopping seven pounds thirteen ounces! Of course I was a preemie, cause that just makes sense! God, what kind of fool do you take me for?

-Don't use the Lord's name in vain.

-Oh that's rich coming from you. You haven't gone to church since Daddy's death.

-Well I never!

-That's right you never. You never think, not about my happiness, not about what I want or deserve or need!

-Do you really think that about me? That I don't love you? I love you too much! I only want what's best for you.

-No, you want to control me!

-…Why must we always fight?

-I don't know.

-…Is Andrew coming down after his meeting?

-I told him I'd call him if you took the news well and to expect me on the six o'clock train if I don't.

-Are you going to call him?

-I don't know. Are you going to be happy for us?

-You're sure you want to have a kid right now?

-Yes.

-Then yes, I'll be happy for you.

-Then I'll call him.

-Alright then.

-Alright.

-…So how is Uncle Joshua?

-Just fine.