You Only Grow Up Once
CHARACTERS
JOSEFINA, 15-year-old girl having a quinceañera party
ROSA, Josefina’s cousin
ARTURO, Josefina’s brother
SILVA, Josefina’s aunt
PAPA, Josefina’s father
SCENE 1
1
[Josefina and her cousin Rosa are talking at Josefina’s kitchen table. Josefina’s brother Arturo is standing in the kitchen, getting himself a glass of water.]
2
ROSA: I liked the blue dress best. It had more frills. It made you look older, too.
3
JOSEFINA: But the white one matches my theme. Remember? [She looks up to the sky dreamily.] “Summer Snow.” Everything has to be —
4
ROSA: White, yes. [She laughs.] We know.
5
JOSEFINA: Mama and Silvia ordered white flowers for me to hold at the misa at St. Andrew’s Church. And even more for the centerpieces at dinner! She ordered a snow machine for the dance, too! Oh! I wasn’t supposed to say anything about that.
6
ROSA: You’re terrible at keeping secrets. [They laugh.] Let’s talk about the dance.
7
JOSEFINA: Papa and I have been practicing the waltz. He’s really nervous about it.
8
ROSA: No, no. The dance! The baile sorpresa.
9
JOSEFINA: Well, I have five chambelans: Arturo, Javier, Danny, and two of my cousins. Arturo’s the chambelan de honor.
10
ARTURO: What Josefina means to say is that I am her Prince Charming for the night. [He laughs.] We’re going to dance to a traditional song—with a live mariachi band. What’s the song called again?
11
JOSEFINA: La Charreada.
12
ARTURO: That’s right. Silva found us charro suits with white boots for tap dancing. [He taps out a few steps loudly, in a silly way.]
13
ROSA: [She laughs.] Only you, Josefina, would choose a song about cowboys. Are you going to ride a horse into the banquet hall?
14
JOSEFINA: Oh, I forgot to tell you! My quince’s going to be at a dude ranch outside of town. Under the stars!
15
ROSA: Seriously? Wow!
SCENE 2
16
[Rosa and Josefina are talking at Rosa’s dinner.]
17
JOSEFINA: I’m so glad I didn’t make any mistakes reading at the misa.
18
ROSA: You did great. Gisele tripped walking down the steps at her misa, and I heard your mama say Via forgot to leave her flowers at the altar.
19
JOSEFINA: I was there! Padre Antonio had to call her back and remind her. But just you wait. It’s nerve-racking having all those eyes staring at you!
20
[Josefina sips a drink as Rosa takes a bite of food.]
21
ROSA: This food is so amazing, Josefina! You’ve actually managed to make a cowboy cookout fancy.
22
JOSEFINA: Is it really? I haven’t had a bite! Mama fixed me a plate to eat after the dance. She says I can’t risk dripping barbeque sauce on my dress.
23
ROSA: Where are all the boys?
24
JOSEFINA: They’re in the back having a last-minute rehearsal. I told them that if they drop me like they did yesterday, I’ll never speak to them again. So they’re practicing with my sister.
25
[Suddenly, lightning flashes followed by thunder. Drips of rain quickly turn to heavy drops. Everyone runs to a nearby shelter.]
26
JOSEFINA: No, no! Not today! My quince is ruined.
27
ARTURO: Maybe you should change your theme to “Summer Rain.” [He laughs.]
28
JOSEFINA: Stop it! [She falls to the floor, her dress flopping around her. She wails.]
29
SILVA: What is this? Dry your eyes and fix your tiara, young lady. [Josefina stands up, wipes away her tears, and adjusts her tiara and dress.] I saw the weather report this afternoon and made sure we had an indoor space just in case. See? [She points to a place offstage.] The band is setting up inside, and the caterers are moving the tables and chairs. Even your centerpieces will be saved. Everything will be fine.
SCENE 3
30
[All of the guests are now inside. The lights dim, and Josefina and Papa dance a waltz together. The snow machine puffs snow out onto the dance floor. Their friends and family clap when they’re done.]
31
PAPA: Mija, I am so proud of you tonight. You have become a beautiful young lady. Promise me you’ll always save a dance for your Papa.
32
JOSEFINA: Si, Papa.
33
[The lights turn back on and Josefina and her chambelans dance to a traditional Mexican song.]
34
ROSA: Oh, Josefina, your dress is exquisite. The beads twinkle under the lights. It was almost like you planned to have the dance inside!
35
ARTURO: Seriously. You had tap-dancing cowboys spinning you around the dance floor. Everyone’s going to be talking about your quinceañera for years to come.
36
JOSEFINA: You’re both right. I’m so sorry I freaked out about the rain. Silva said everything would work out, and it has.
37
ROSA: Don’t worry. We’re all familia here. We love you no matter what. You just have to trust us!
38
ARTURO: Hey now. Your quince isn’t over yet! The music is still playing. Let’s go dance some more.
Scene 1 is important to the development of the dramatic action because —
Scene 1 is important to the development of the dramatic action because —
The conflict of the drama appears.
The situation of the drama is revealed.
The tension of the drama is intensified.
Josephina’s problem is resolved.
The situation of the drama is revealed.
Scene 2 is important to the development of of the dramatic action because —
Scene 2 is important to the development of of the dramatic action because —
The dance gets ruined when the boys drop Josephina in front of her guests.
The characters of the play are introduced.
The conflict of the rain is presented.
The conflict is resolved.
The conflict of the rain is presented.
Read this line from the dialogue in scene 2.
ARTURO: Maybe you should change your theme to “Summer Rain.” [He laughs.]
The reader can infer that —
Read this line from the dialogue in scene 2.
ARTURO: Maybe you should change your theme to “Summer Rain.” [He laughs.]
The reader can infer that —
Josephina is annoyed with her dad.
Arturo really likes the rain.
Arturo is insensitive to his daughter’s feelings.
Arturo is easy going in the face of adversity.
Arturo is easy going in the face of adversity.
Read the following line from the drama.
Which line suggests the resolution of the drama?
Which line suggests the resolution of the drama?
Stop it! [She falls to the floor, her dress flopping around her. She wails.]
The band is setting up inside, and the caterers are moving the tables and chairs.
This food is so amazing, Josefina! You’ve actually managed to make a cowboy cookout fancy.
You’re both right. I’m so sorry I freaked out about the rain. Silva said everything would work out, and it has.
You’re both right. I’m so sorry I freaked out about the rain. Silva said everything would work out, and it has.
Originating from the Latin word exquisitus, meaning “carefully sought out” or “chosen,” the word exquisite in paragraph 34 means —
Originating from the Latin word exquisitus, meaning “carefully sought out” or “chosen,” the word exquisite in paragraph 34 means —
beautiful and delicate
common and normal
strong and sturdy
old and hard to find
beautiful and delicate
Why do the characters talk about the previous quinceaneras they have been to in scene 2?
Why do the characters talk about the previous quinceaneras they have been to in scene 2?
To compare how much better her party is
To suggest that nothing will make Josephina happy
To help the reader understand Josephina’s desire for everything to be perfect
To make fun of the mistakes others have made