Week 4 Day 4: Uncomfortable Moment – MEET THE PARENTS

[Sherry Miller]

Who hasn’t been uncomfortable meeting your fiance’s or significant other’s parents? Or the rest of the family, for that matter? Greg and his fiance, Pam, are visiting her parents because her sister’s getting married. And her Father, Jack, former CIA agent, demands an old-fashioned proposal which includes asking permission for his daughter’s hand in marriage. He’s domineering, so protective of his daughter. And overbearing with everyone else. Immediately you know something just might go awry on what’s supposed to be a fun-filled meaningful weekend. Jack acts superior to Greg from the start. He’s not happy Greg male nurse as a profession. Greg’s wife-to-be is a school teacher, used to her Father’s antics, and unsuspecting they clash. Greg is the kind of person who rolls merrily along in life, not trying too hard, though test scores prove he’s quite bright. It takes this weekend to test his mettle. Love for his girlfriend drives him, as well as a shield of self-pride. He’s surely going to take action to protect their relationship. Another thing that adds to his problems: his fiance’s sister is getting married to a doctor. There’s competition. Does the doctor look down on him – a mere nurse? I do get the feeling Pam’s Father is setting Greg up for failure. In this scene, we find Greg curious. He’s exploring the house to find out more about the family. He hears a noise, stumbles upon a room with a light on. Jack suddenly appears, flips on the light, startling him. “See anything interesting?” Greg is so uncomfortable, you can feel it. It’s like being caught opening someone’s medicine cabinet. He stammers, “Oh no. No-no.” He claims he was concerned because a light was left on. He’s checking it out. Then, very uncomfortabe, says, “a cozy little nook.” It’s anything but–there’s an antique polygraph machine in the corner. “Is that what that is?” Greg asks, pointing. Jack goads him to use it, take a test, find out his motives. He’s suspicious, controlling. “Why don’t you try this on?” he says, holding out the cuff. Greg resists. “Oh come on. We’ll have some fun.” and “Don’t worry. You’ll enjoy this!” Jack urges. There’s a knowing grin on his face. Greg squirms. He’s strapped to the machine, in a very weak position. It now becomes an uneven challenge. “These aren’t accurate, right?” Greg tries. “You’d be surprised how accurate they are,” Jack answers. “Can really tell if someone’s lying,” he adds. The freaked-out look on Greg’s face and his silence is priceless. Jack begins with harmless questions. Greg is relieved for only a moment. “Relax. Did you fly here?” “Yes.” Did you have pot roast tonight for dinner?” “Yes.” “Was it undercooked?” Hesitation. “Ah…no.” The machine goes crazy. “Uh…yes, just too rare for my taste.” And then the zinger, the most uncomfortable question of all. Greg’s helpless. Jack’s in complete control now yet acts casual. Drama is built around their being trapped together in a dark part of the house. Alone. At night. With a machine holding Greg hostage. Like being in a police station. There’s distrust for him or maybe anyone dating Jack’s daughter. Greg’s wound: Always told he’s smart and can be more, (his fiance’s okay with that.) yet he chooses what makes him feel right. Some chide him for his choices. Jack’s wound: had a tough job, relied upon to interrogate suspicious people, and perhaps suffered push-back and rejection for his conservative beliefs. Last question he asks for polygraph: “Ever watch pornographic videos?” Greg’s shocked, hesitates, says, “No.” The machine goes really wild indicating that’s a lie. Things are now too personal, private. How can Greg defend himself? Will this end his romance? Is the proposal off? Individual traits and secrets are perfect points to build this scene. Now Greg’s tasked with making himself worthy. Before the weekend’s over.