SYNOPSIS      

           ACT I

In an attempt to boost business, Charlie has decided to invite a particular group or organization to his Oasis Café each week. One of the features of the evening is a special herbal drink, which he names appropriately for the group. Last week was “Nurses’ Night” and he concocted his special drink called “Local Anesthesia”.  This week he has invited members of the Single File Dating Club to the Oasis. Their special drink will be called the “Double Entendre”.  

It’s just before 9 PM . Wally, a “regular” at the Oasis is sitting at the bar having trouble with his laptop computer. Charlie pleads with him to forget business and enjoy the evening. While they are still on the computer, he urges Wally to take a look at the web site for the Single File Dating Club which contains photos of its members. Charlie the optimist finds charm in each face while Wally can only criticize. In an effort to change Wally’s mind Charlie begins the song FACES WITH CHARACTER. Wally counters with his own cynical viewpoint.  

Sidney, a new member of the Single File club enters. He’s not overly impressed with the Oasis and is about to leave when Charlie tries to dissuade him. Sidney is looking for his true love and Charlie tries to convince him that "she will walk right in that door". They discuss Sidney’s concerns in THE OASIS. Becky, the waitress enters and joins them in a musical give and take, at the end of which Sydney reluctantly decides to stay.  

Vinnie and Jane, a regular couple at The Oasis, enter.  They’re introduced to Sidney and immediately encourage him to get out there and meet someone tonight. Sidney would really like to meet that pretty lady in red - Samantha - who just came in with her girlfriend Tina. Samantha is quite sophisticated whereas Tina is a streetwise gum-chewing gal. Both are members of Single File. They’re proudly wearing their SF tags and carrying their SF “decoders”. Sidney will make several disastrous attempts to strike up a conversation with Samantha, but she really isn't interested. 

The atmosphere in the Café is suddenly electrified with the entrance of Jake and Jessica.  Jake, an egotist who must always have his way, is stuck in the ‘50’s.  Poor Jessica’s sweet, self-effacing character is no match for him. She is with him because “it is better than sitting home alone”. To keep Jessica in line, Jake sings the '50s-style song  DO WHAT, which blatantly says "You want to be happy? Then do what I want.”

The small group at the bar watches all this with dismay. During their conversation Vinnie refers to Jane as "a friend". Of course Jane thinks of Vinnie as much more than a friend, and as Wally and Vinnie have a little discussion about friendship, she stands and softly sings her ballad of love DON 'T YOU KNOW BY NOW ?  

Now it is obvious that Jessica is not happy.  When Jake leaves the table Becky, the ever nurturing waitress, goes over to comfort her. Jessica wonders where Becky got all of her wisdom. Becky explains that she was once in Jessica's shoes until she came upon the COOKBOOK OF LOVE. In this country-and-western song Becky explains how this book gave her a recipe for life. Jessica doesn’t quite get it yet.  

The Oasis is now buzzing with vacuous conversation building to a fever pitch and bursting into the exuberant song SMALL TALK . Everyone at the Oasis is busily "chattering" with nothing terribly important to say. When Wally complains that the conversation is boring, Becky explains that this harmless conversation is far better than hearing what people really have on their minds; and she demonstrates. This changes the focus of the song until Wally reluctantly agrees that maybe small talk isn't so bad after all.  

After having been rejected by Samantha, Sidney is beginning to feel a little sorry for himself.  Despite the encouragement of his new-found friends at the bar, Sidney complains that he's tired of trying to "find somebody". He sings the plaintive ballad FIND ME.  Jessica independently sings her version of the song, and at the end they sing a sweet duet on opposite sides of the café.  

Jessica's self-pitying and complaining is making everyone wonder why she doesn't just dump Jake and find somebody else.  She insists that it's not easy to meet somebody else. In the catchy song SINGLE FILE she recalls the peculiar evening when she met Jake, and how he insinuated himself into her life. Meanwhile, Jake is making a fool of himself at the juke box. When Wally unceremoniously tells Jake to "shut up", Samantha gets a gleam in her eye for this "well educated and obviously sophisticated gentleman."  

But right now Samantha and Tina have a more immediate concern - the sniveling Jessica. Becky, Samantha and Tina decide to offer Jessica a lot of unsolicited, but well meaning advice. (Everybody wants to help Jessica.) Jessica finally has had enough and sings the endearing song WHO I AM.  

Jessica and Jake have a spat and she is left sitting at the table by herself. Sidney, who has been practically forced to drink Double Entendres by Charlie, is suddenly a little more self assured. He starts a clumsy conversation with Jessica, and there is a sudden attraction between them which amazes Wally (actually he’s a little jealous). He tells Charlie that he just doesn’t get it, and sings  BUT LOVE I CAN'T EXPLAIN to end Act I.  

ACT II

Several hours have passed. Although Jessica and Sidney are becoming quite friendly, they are aware that there are a lot of interesting members of the opposite sex at The Oasis tonight. They sing the opening song of Act II - KID IN A CANDY STORE, and are joined by the remainder of the cast who admonish them not to be so greedy. At the end of this energetic song they’re exhausted and return to their conversation at the table.  

Becky goes over to the table where Samantha and Tina are sitting. The two women mention that Becky is looking awfully tired. They suggest that Becky take a vacation. Becky agrees and sings IMAGINE ME IN PARIS.

Vinnie and Jane get into another disagreement, which is business as usual. Finally, in his frustration, Vinnie renders the humorous Latin flavored song TROUBLE in which he proclaims the differences between men and women.

There have been several across-the-room flirtations between Wally and Samantha. Wally has been emboldened by the Double Entendres which Sidney has been passing to him. He sends a note to Samantha along with one of the special drinks.  When Tina notices this, she becomes jealous.  Everyone in the Café is meeting someone except her. She wonders why Samantha and Wally have an eye for each other, even though they haven't even met. Samantha explains that it's just plain CHEMISTRY. In the song, when Samantha tries to explain what chemistry is, Tina provides a sarcastic comeback, and the chorus which has joined in the discussion, tries to resolve the matter in a more rational manner.  

Jake is having a rough night. He falls asleep at the counter.  Not an easy sleep. Jake has a pretty scary nightmare. He is at the "Pearly Gates" and is confronted by God who warns him that Jake is not behaving the way he should. This is a shock to Jake and he tries to negotiate with God. God is not happy! When Jake is awakened by Becky, he is shaken to the core. In his agitated state he finally agrees to accept a Double Entendre from Charlie. And the special drink appears to have some effect on him (but not for long).  

Having given up on Jessica, Jake turns his attention to Tina. Jake introduces himself and they strike up a conversation about cars. It's apparent that he's met his match.  In fact, he thinks he's fallen in love with her already! Tina wants to know more about Jake and he responds with his 50's song WHAT I LIKE. As he is about to order a drink, Tina interrupts and puts him through the very same treatment he gave Jessica earlier in the evening, word by word. Jake is stunned and accepts his fate reluctantly (but happily).

By this time Charlie is a little concerned about how successful his herbal drink has been. In fact - too successful! He decides it's a good time to close the Oasis for the night. Wally, who is now invigorated, leads the customers in applause for Charlie for the great evening of fun. But Charlie insists that he didn't do much except help a few people when it was clear they were headed down the wrong road. Everyone leaves the cafe except for Charlie and Becky who have a brief discussion about how Charlie has messed up the Double Entendre recipe - again. On the street outside the Oasis the group is in a good mood and they sing the poignant THE ROAD - how they have matured in their understanding of their lives.  

Not a bad evening at all!