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by Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse

Clarence and Mary are young teenagers, and quite struck with one another. Mary has been visiting Clarence's parents with her Aunt Cora, and has developed a friendly, but completely proper relationship with Clarence. The piece begins when they are trying to say goodbye to one another. They discuss writing one another, and Mary insists that Clarence be the one to write first - to prove that he really likes her. However, Clarence, wearing one of his fathers old suits, feels that he cannot do anything that his father wouldn't do while wearing the suit. He know that his father would never write first, and further, he knows that his father would NEVER allow a girl to hug him. By the end of the conversation, Mary is in tears, and Father comes in, wondering what is the matter. Clarence begs for a new suit of his own, but his father has another solution in mind. In his own unique, and quite stubborn way, Father tries to explain to Clarence how to handle women.
Watching the movie "Life With Father" starring Elizabeth Taylor as "Mary" will help anyone doing this piece. It is very cute and comical, and has some great, creative dialogue throughout. Characters are Clarence, a boy of about 17, Mary, a girl of about 15, and Father, who is about 47. This piece may also be cut for an acting scene.

approx. 8-9 min.