INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Susan Stewart is at her parents’ home in Riverdale. There is a special reason for her visit today. A newspaper reporter from the Riverdale paper is coming to talk to her. He wants to know about Susan’s program to give toys to sick children in hospitals. Susan is excited about the reporter’s visit. And his visit will be important to Robbie, too.
ACT I
Susan: [She hears the doorbell.] Mom, can you get the door? I’m still brushing my hair.
Robbie: Mom’s not here. She went next door.
Susan: Well, Robbie, will you answer the door?
Robbie: Please?
Susan: Come on, Robbie! Please! It’s a newspaper reporter.
Robbie: A newspaper reporter?
Susan: Yes, it’s about my program to give toys to children in hospitals. Come on, Robbie. Hurry up, please!
Robbie: OK. All right. [He answers the door.] Hi.
Bill: Hello, I’m Bill MacDonald.
Robbie: Are you here to see my sister?
Bill: Susan Stewart?
Robbie: Yes. She’s here. Won’t you come in? I’ll call her.
Bill: Thank you.
Susan: No need to call anyone. I’m right here. How do you do, Mr. MacDonald?
Bi: I’m fine, thank you. And very pleased to meet you.
Su: I see you brought a tape recorder. Do you need to sit at a table, or shall we sit in the living room?
Bi: In the living room is fine.
Su: I made some iced tea. Can I get you a glass?
Bi: Thank you. That sounds delicious.
Su: Why don’t you sit in here, and I’ll be right back with the tea? [She leaves.]
Ro: May I ask you a question?
Bi: Of course.
Ro: Do most reporters use tape recorders in interview situations?
Bi: Some do. It’s a great tool for me. I find it helps me a lot in my work. I can give my readers the exact words from my interviews.
Ro: And some reporters don’t use a tape recorder?
Bi: That’s right. They just take notes.
Bo: Don’t they miss a lot that way?
Bi: They might miss a word or two, but a good reporter won’t ever miss an important idea.
Robbie: I’m thinking about working as a reporter. I write for the school paper.
Bi: Do you? Well, it’s a great job! There are always interesting stories to cover.
Su: [She enters with a tray of iced tea.] Here we are.
Bi: And there are important people to meet.
Su: I hope you’re talking about me!
Ro: Are you, Mr. MacDonald? Is Susan an important person?
Bi: [He laughs.] In this town she is, Robbie.
Robbie: Really?
Bill: Sure. She is creating a wonderful program. Those toys will make a lot of sick children very happy. What could be more important than that?
Su: Thank you.
Bi: I want to learn all about it. How did you get the idea? May I turn on the tape?
Su: Of course. Well, I was in Chicago at a toymakers’ convention. And you know that my dad is a doctor for children, a pediatrician. Well, an idea came to me…
INTRODUCTION TO ACT II
This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Susan and Robbie Stewart are meeting for lunch. They meet at a restaurant that serves food to people in a hurry-a fast-food restaurant. Susan is excited. Her program to give toys to children in hospital is a success. And one reason for that success is a newspaper story about her idea. Some young readers read the story and sent Susan a letter. And Susan wants Robbie to read it.
ACT II
Counter-person: [to a customer in the restaurant] Here you go. Two hamburgers, water, and a soda.
Customer: Thank you.
Counter-person: Next. You’ve been standing here quite a while. What can I get you?
Robbie: Oh, nothing, thanks. I’m waiting for someone. My sister.
Counter-person: Maybe she forgot your meeting.
Robbie: No. She just called me this morning. She was all excited about something. She really wanted to meet me.
Counter-person: You want to order something now?
Robbie: Well, those burgers smell really good. But, no thanks. I’ll wait for her. She’ll be here soon.
Counter-person: Next.
Susan: [She enters.] Hi, Robbie. Sorry I’m late. I had a business appointment this morning. It ran late. I’m sorry. Let me buy you lunch.
Robbie: Great! I’m starving. How about a large burger, some fries, and a cola.
Susan: OK. I’ll get it. Oh, I have something to show you.
Robbie: What is it?
Susan: It’s a letter.
Counter-person: [to Susan and Robbie] Are you folks ready?
Susan: Yes, we are. Go on, Robbie. Read it. There’s free table by the window. I’ll meet you there with the food.
Co: [to Susan] What’ll it be, miss?
Person: Umm. We’ll have two large hamburgers, one large and one small bag of French fries, and two colas.
Co: What size colas?
Su: One large, one medium.
Co: Ok. That’s two burgers, large and small fries, large and medium colas. [She totals the amount on the cash register.]. That’s five twenty. Out of ten. Here’s your change. Four-eighty. Thank you. Next?
Susan: [to Roobie] Here’s your burger.
Ro: And here’s your letter. You should be proud. And all this happened because of that article?
Su: Isn’t it great? Did you read this part? [She reads] “We are a local Girl Scout troop. We read the newspaper article about your idea.”
Ro: Yeah, I know. They want to help with your hospital program.
Su: They are going to organize other troops of Scouts to visit with the children in the hospitals. Well, what do you think?
Ro: [eating] This burger tastes great.
Su: Come on, Robbie. Not the burger-the letter!
Ro: I think it’s totally amazing.
Su: What’s amazing? That I created the program? Or that it’s working? What’s so amazing?
Ro: Writing an article for a newspaper. It really works! |