The big, bad wolf would not seem to be someone you would enter into a business partnership with, but Mary is considering it. It sounds like a good idea – a lamb washing business – but the wolf wants only the money and none of the responsibility. Beware, Mary!
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB GOES INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WOLF
By Michele Lourie
Mary Had a Little Lamb enters carrying her Lambie in a basket. The wolf enters, running after her.
WOLF: Ewe, Ewe, Miss Ewe, could I speak to you for a moment?
M/LAMB: How rude, addressing me as ‘You’.
WOLF: My mistake, I would be afraid to speak to someone as lovely as you.
M/LAMB: (mollified by the compliment) Who is this Miss You? Obviously, you are not afraid of speaking to me.
WOLF: Aren’t you Miss Ewe? Oh no, I have your name wrong. You are Miss Lamb. An easy mistake to make – Ewe/Lamb; Lamb/Ewe.
M/LAMB: No, it is not.
(she goes to leave but he runs after her)
WOLF: One moment, Miss Lamb. I’ve heard you like to keep your little lamb as white as snow.
M/LAMB: Yes.
WOLF: Would you consider investing in my Lamb washing business?
M/LAMB: A lamb washing business. I never heard of such a thing.
WOLF: That is because I have only just thought of it when I saw you with your sweet little lamb. There are lots of lambs in Nursery Rhyme Land so just think how much money we could make with a Lamb washing business.
M/LAMB: I suppose you are right. What would we call it?
WOLFF: How about – “Mary’s Lamb Washing business”. That way you would have all the responsibility under your name.
M/LAMB: Mmm. I like the sound of it. Why not? I wash Lambie morning and night so this would save me a lot of work. (hands over bag of money) Unless you expect me to wash all the lambs?
(goes to take the money back but the wolf is walking backwards, out of reach)
WOLF: No, no. We just stand all the lambs beneath a fire hose and they will soon come clean.
M/LAMB: I don’t think that would work very well, and it might not be too pleasant for the lambs. Wait a minute, I’ve changed my mind. I want my money back, you! Hey you!
Wolf howls as he rushes to exit and Mary Lamb hurries after him.
