Douglas Farm, just after the meeting
Oliver parked his car in front of his house and attempted to enter the house. Just as he was about to twist the door open, the doorknob detached from the door and fell into Oliver's hand. Perfect, Oliver thought sarcastically as he began pounding on the door. "Lisa! Lisa!" Oliver yelled.
Inside, Lisa was busy dusting when she heard someone try to open the door to no avail, followed by her name being called by a familiar voice. Lisa smiled a coy smile to herself as she walked over to the door. "Who is it?" she asked innocently in her thick, Hungarian accent as if not knowing who was at the door.
"Lisa! You know perfectly well who it is! Now open the door!" Oliver said.
"I'm sorry, Harry, but I can't let you in! My husband vill be home any minute and vill be furious if he caught you here." she replied while giggling.
"Lisa, would you just open the door!" Oliver said, sounding rather annoyed. Lisa knew by the tone in his voice that her little game was no longer amusing, so she decided to open the door.
"Oh, it's you!" Lisa said, still playing dumb. "Hello dere!" she said, while giving him a peck on the lips. "How vas your meeting?" she asked while picking up the duster to continue her task.
"It was strange as usual, but this time I have a surprise for you!" Oliver said excitedly.
"A susprise! For me! Vat is it, Olivah! Is it flowers, or diamonds, or furs! Is it furs! Did you get me a new minks coat! Vat is it Olivah! Vat, vat, vat!" Lisa questioned while shaking him by his vest.
"Well, if you stop saying vat, vat, vat, I will tell you vat, er, or what it is!" he said, grabbing her wrists to prevent her from shaking him anymore. "Anyway, the new civic center downtown is almost finished and to celebrate its opening, the volunteer fire department is hosting a ball for the entire community. And I am planning on taking you!"
"You mean ve are actually going to the ball?" Lisa asked in disbelief.
"Yes!" Oliver replied.
"You mean you're not going to make an excuse to get out of it? Or refuse to go because of the farm? Or say it's going to be a disaster and stay home to read?" Lisa asked.
"No. This time, we are going to that ball no matter what. And we are going to dance and eat and socialize and have a good time with our friends. It's going to be a special night for just the two of us." Oliver replied, pleased with himself.
"Oh, Olivah! I'm so excited!" Lisa exclaimed while putting her arms around his neck in a hug. Oliver quickly put his arms around her waist and held her in an embrace. "I can't vait for the ball! Ven is it?" she asked.
Uh-oh, Oliver thought. This is the part she's not going to be happy with. Oliver knew that Lisa was not going to like the long wait. But he knew he couldn't lie to her either. Dreadfully, Oliver quickly mumbled, "Two weeks from Friday," but to no avail. Lisa heard him.
"Two veeks from Friday!" Lisa exclaimed while detaching herself from his embrace. "But Olivah, vat am I supposed to do in the meantime! I have no one to talk to around here! You're alvays busy vorking on the farm and Eb has been sick with a cold for days! I've been so bored and lonesome for so long!"
"Oh, does Eb still have that darn cold?" Oliver asked, trying to change the subject.
"Don't change the subject!" Lisa exclaimed while whirling around to avoid his gaze. Drat, Oliver thought. She knows me too well!
"Lisa." Oliver said in a soothing tone. "You know I would love to spend time with you, but you also know how much this farm means to me! I have to work hard to keep it up and running. That's why I told you about this ball. This is the event that I am taking you to in order to make up for all the time I didn't spend with you. I promise it will be our special night out, but you'll just have to wait a while is all!" Oliver said, hoping that his little speech will convince her.
Lisa stood still with her arms folded in front of her, her lips formed in a pout. "You still haven't told me vat I can do in the meantime," she said bitterly. Oliver took this as a sign that she was willing to wait.
"I've got a great idea!" Oliver said. "You can be the decorating committee! I'm having a meeting to appoint jobs for the members, and I'm sure they won't mind having you giving them a hand." Oliver walked over to Lisa to put his arms around her waist from behind. "Besides, you've always had such impeccable taste."
"Velllll…all right. I'll help." Lisa said subjectively.
"Great!" Oliver exclaimed enthusiastically, whirling her around to face her. "Then you could join us at the meeting tomorrow! Now, I have to go do some work around the farm. I'll be back for dinner," he said. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked out the door.
He just doesn't understand, Lisa thought sadly. She sighed and once again continued with her dusting.