Rehearsal

(Chattering)

April: Everyone, I'd like you to meet our new Romeo and Juliet, Jason Drakes and Natalie Teeger…well what are you waiting for? Mingle, mingle."

John: Hey, I'm Mercuttio

Marie: I'm Lady Capulet, it's very nice to meet you both.

Various others greet them and Natalie slyly hands Monk wipes.

Later

Natalie and Monk are in center of stage. They just finished speaking.

April: Okay…now, kiss.

Monk: wait, we really have to…

April: Kiss? Yes, now remember, this is a first kiss. It's sweet, passionate, romantic.

Monk hesitates.

Natalie (so only Monk hears it.): just pretend I am Trudy

They kiss. At first, it's awkward then very natural, 'sweet, passionate, romantic'. It lasts a bit longer than expected.

April clears throat.

Monk breaks the kiss. Natalie slowly opens her eyes.

Natalie: wow.

April: very good…take five.

Natalie gives monk a wipe: here.

Monk just pockets it, he didn't want Natalie to see, but she does.

Dr. Kroger's Office

Kroger: Adrian is something bothering you?

Monk: it's just… this case.

Kroger: you're working on that…uh…Shakespeare killer case, huh?

Monk: yea. I'm under cover…as an actor. I'm playing Romeo.

Kroger: that doesn't sound too bad

Monk: here's the thing…Na…(sigh) Romeo and Juliet…have to, you know…

Kroger: Kiss?

Monk yes…even in rehearsal.

Kroger: you know Adrian, it's just acting. It doesn't mean anything.

Waits for a response, Monk just looks guilty.

Kroger: were you just acting?

Monk: I… (sighs)

Kroger: so do I know this Juliet?

Monk: yes

Kroger: who is she?

Monk: I'd rather not say.

Kroger: ok. I understand, she probably wants her privacy.

Monk: it's just that…Natalie gave me a wipe after and I didn't even use it.

Kroger: well that's good, Adrian that's progress.

Monk: and Natalie told me to just pretend that she was Trudy, right before we kissed, but I didn't. Puts hands in face and moans

Kroger: I thought you and Juliet kissed.

Monk: Natalie IS Juliet…oh god…she must hate me. I kissed her for too long. A lot longer than the director said. Moans

Kroger: Adrian…Adrian! Listen. I'm sure Natalie doesn't hate you. You need to calm down.

Monk: I didn't hate it!

Kroger: you didn't hate it?

Monk: and I hate myself for not hating it. And now Natalie hates me too.

Kroger: Adrian! Why do you think she hates you? What was her reaction?

Monk: wow!

Kroger: nervous chuckle is that all she said:

Monk: yes.

Kroger: then, Adrian, I don't think she minded it all that much.