You Are Trying to Seduce Me

Written by Buck Henry for the modern-classic comedy-drama film The Graduate, this duologue captures an iconic confrontation brimming with sexual tension and manipulation. A nervous recent college graduate confronts an older family friend regarding her suggestive hospitality, only to find himself thoroughly disarmed and steered straight toward her bedroom. The scene moves seamlessly between panicked bluster, acute embarrassment, and subtle seduction over two to three crackling minutes.

Ben is a vulnerable outsider and relatable everyman in his 20s who is wrestling with profound self-consciousness and moral disorientation. His sudden bravado collapses into mortified apologies the moment he is challenged, exposing how desperately out of his depth he truly is. Mrs. Robinson, an assured woman in her 40s to 50s, functions as an unflappable femme fatale who commands the room with calculated ease. She effortlessly turns his nervous accusations back onto him, neutralizing his resistance with sophisticated composure and quiet persistence.

Originating from an Oscar-winner, BAFTA-winner, and Golden Globe-winner project, this text offers dramatic range within a tightly focused domestic space. Casting panels can instantly evaluate how effectively two performers navigate high-stakes subtext, awkward comedic beats, and rapid status shifts. The dynamic requires intense active listening and emotional honesty, allowing both performers to demonstrate precise control over escalating psychological tension.

This duologue is exceptionally well-suited for drama school auditions, agent showcases, self-tapes, and general scene study practice. It offers rich material for performers embodying Everyman, Vulnerable, Outsider, Sophisticated, or Femme Fatale casting types. Actors in the 18 to 25 age bracket playing Ben, paired with mature actors in their 40s or 50s playing Mrs. Robinson, will find it an ideal exercise in handling delicate power dynamics.

Resist the temptation to play the comedic awkwardness broadly or anticipate the seduction before it unfolds. Ben must fully invest in his fear of being inappropriate, allowing his embarrassment to make his subsequent submission believable rather than foolish. For Mrs. Robinson, physical economy and stillness are essential; allow unhurried pauses and relaxed vocal control to do the heavy lifting. Keep your attention locked on your partner so every micro-reaction feels spontaneous and truthful.