In Sure Thing Summary

Encountering awkward situations in life isn't always ideal, but wouldn't it be nice if could be? Well in the one act play Sure Thing by David Ives the characters Bill and Betty have a do over bell that avoids awkward situations. Betty is at a coffee shop reading a book when Bill approaches for a conversation. During their long “small talk” a bell is used to redo their dialog if one or the other loses interested or becomes annoyed. For instance, in regard to politics Bill says, “Straight-down-the-ticket Republican. (Bell) Straight-Down-the-ticket Democrat. (Bell) Can I tell you something about Politics? (Bell) I like to think of myself as a citizen of the universe. (Bell) I am unaffiliated.” (Ives 8) The bell is rang midway through Bills sentences

Bill exaggerates the qualities of this book, “I was excited after ten pages that I went out and bought everything else he wrote. One of the greatest reading experiences of my life. I mean, all that incredible psychological understanding.” (Ives 6) Betty comments, “I think it's pretty boring.(Bell)” (Ives 6) The conversation restarts, but with the prior knowledge of the rant Bill previously says. Betty repeats his line, “I was so excited after ten pages that I went out and bought everything else he wrote.” making the conversation flow and giving them both an opportunity to rant; the conversation is not just one sided anymore (Ives 6). While that example from the play and my experience are similar because they both want a do over to make their conversation flow better for a better outcome overall they are ultimately more different than similar. Although both characters and my example were involved romantically, Betty and Bill had encounter that did not shape their lives. On the other hand John’s life could have been completely different if I had a do over bell. Betty made her free time more interesting and a bit adventurous with the effects of the bell. While in my situation, I could have encouraged John to pursue a higher education. Since do over bell's don't exist, we have to be more conscience in what we