The Kiss, A 1 act, 3 person play

A short scene about a couples first kiss.

The Kiss

A One-Act Play

Characters

Jordan – a young man in his twenties, eager but nervous, cooking for his girlfriend.
Grandpa – warm, witty, offering advice via video call.
Stacy – Jordan’s girlfriend, kind and amused by his efforts.

Scene 1 – The Kitchen

(Lights up on a small apartment kitchen/dining area. A pot boils on the stove, steam rising. The space is neat but modest. JORDAN paces between counter and stove, holding a phone. He stares at the pot, muttering.)

Jordan (to himself):
It’s just spaghetti. Three ingredients. How can it feel like rocket science?

(He exhales, then taps his phone. A screen lights up with GRANDPA, seated in his armchair at home. Warm lighting on him.)

Jordan:
Hey, Grandpa.

Grandpa:
Hey there, kiddo. You look… panicked.

Jordan (embarrassed):
Yeah, maybe. Stacy’s coming over for dinner and… well, I’ve only ever helped you in the kitchen a couple times. I don’t want to mess this up.

Grandpa (grinning):
Ah, so this isn’t just about pasta, huh?

Jordan:
Grandpa…

Grandpa (teasing):
Alright, alright. First rule: salt the water. A good meal comes from the heart—just like love. Don’t overcook it. Keep it… *al dente*. Like a new relationship.

(He winks. JORDAN rolls his eyes but smiles.)

Jordan:
Stop it. Just… tell me what to do.

Grandpa:
Add garlic. Lower the heat. Stop stirring so much. And for heaven’s sake, taste as you go.

(Jordan follows instructions, tasting sauce, adjusting seasoning. Slowly, the kitchen fills with the aroma of garlic bread and tomato sauce.)

Jordan (relieved):
Okay… I think I’ve got it. Thanks, Grandpa—

(The DOORBELL rings. Jordan fumbles, quickly pressing “end call.” GRANDPA vanishes from the screen mid-reply. Jordan winces.)

Jordan:
Sorry, Grandpa… owe you one.

(Lights shift as he straightens himself, brushing off flour from his shirt.)

Scene 2 – The Arrival

(STACY enters. She looks around the tidy little apartment, smiling at the smell of garlic and tomato sauce. JORDAN awkwardly places a hand on her back, gesturing grandly.)

Jordan:
Welcome… to my castle.

Stacy (teasing):
A castle with spaghetti and garlic bread? I approve.

(They laugh softly. He pulls out her chair, they sit. Small talk flows as they eat. The sauce is tasty, the pasta a little too firm. STACY doesn’t complain—she just enjoys the effort.)

Scene 3 – The Kiss

(Plates nearly empty. JORDAN clears dishes, then returns to the table. STACY watches him. She notices a small smear of tomato sauce at the corner of his mouth. She picks up her napkin, leans in, and gently wipes it away.)

(They pause. Their eyes meet. A silence, charged but warm.)

Stacy (softly):
You know… I could get used to this.

(She leans closer. JORDAN, frozen at first, leans in too. They kiss, sweet and tentative. Lights dim, leaving them silhouetted, hands slowly finding each other across the table.)

Blackout.

End of Play