INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., We’re down south in New Orleans, Louisiana, America’s colorful Port city, at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Richard wants to photograph some typical New Orleans scenes. Andreas wants to hear some typical New Orleans music. Both of them want to find a cheap restaurant. Maybe along the Mississippi River they’ll find all these things and a surprise opportunity.
ACT I
Richard: This, Andreas, is the real New Orleans, the Mississippi River: three hundred years of cotton, sugar, and jazz. You can almost taste the history.
Andreas: I can almost taste the seafood! Boy, I’m hungry! There’s a restaurant over there. It doesn’t look too expensive.
Richard: The sign says, “Marie’s Cajun Cooking.” Come on. Let’s try it. What does” Cajun” mean?
Richard: The Cajuns are people. They came from Canada many years ago. Some of them still speak a mixture of French and English. And Cajun food is delicious.
[They enter the restaurant.]
Andreas: Shall we sit by the window?
Richard: Let’s do that. We can catch the breeze.
Waitress: Evening! What can I get you fellas?
Richard: We want some typical New Orleans food. What do you recommend?
Waitress: Oh, the usual. Jambalaya. Gumbo.
An: Jambalaya. I’ve heard of that. Is it good?
Ri: If you like rice mixed with seafood and spices, you’ll love jambalaya.
Andreas: Sounds like Greek food. I think I’ll try it.
Richard: I think I’ll have the gumbo soup, please.
Waitress: You got it. What would you like to drink?
Richard: I’ll have iced tea. Andreas?
Andreas: Me, too.
Waitress: Okey dokey. I’ll be back.
Andreas: [to Richard] “Okey dokey”?
Richard: She means “OK,” “all right.”
Andreas: If you say so. Hey, Richard. What’s that music on the radio?
Richard: That’s Dixieland jazz music.
Andreas: It’s good. I love the rhythm.
Richard: Jazz music. New Orleans is famous for it. Hey, take a look at that old fishing boat. And the sunset behind it. I’ve got to take a picture. [He takes some photographs.]
Waitress: [She returns.] Here we go. Two iced teas.
Richard: Thanks.
Waitress: You all from around here?
Richard: No. I’m from New York. Andreas here is from Greece.
Waitress: So what brings you to New Orleans?
Richard: Andreas is touring the States, and I’m looking for things to photograph here.
Waitress: What kind of things?
Richard: All kinds of things. The pictures are for a book about America. Have any ideas?
Waitress: Hmm. Yes. I do.
Richard: Tell me.
Waitress: My brother has a fishing boat. It’s over there. It’s called the Mississippi Princess. You come down early in the morning and tell him you know me. I’m sure h won’t mind. He’ll probably let you go out with him.
INTRODUCTION TO ACT II
This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Richard and Andreas are guests on the fishing boat Mississippi Princess. They’re in the Gulf of Mexico, off New Orleans, Louisiana, with Captain Blanchet, a Shrimp fisherman. He’s fishing for shrimp. Richard’s taking pictures. And Andreas is asking a lot of questions.
ACT II
Blanchet: [singing to himself] Jambalaya, and a crawfish pie, and a file gumbo.
Andreas: jambalaya? Last night, I ate that for dinner at your sister’s restaurant.
Blanchet: I’ll say this for Marie. She’s a real Cajun cook. She takes after our mama.
Richard: Captain Blanchet, Andreas and I want to thank you for letting us join you on your fishing boat today.
Blanchet: My pleasure, Richard. Any friend of my sister’s is a friend of mine. Now you two stand back while we put out these nets.
Andreas: Yes, sir.
Blanchet: I don’t want anybody to get hurt.
Richard: We’ll be careful. I’d like to take some pictures. Would you mind?
Blanchet: Not at all. Just don’t get in the way.
[Richard begins to take photographs.]
Blanchet: [shouting] Billy, tie that rope Jean, slow the engine and head into the waves.
Richard: Now, there’s a picture of a real sea captain.
Blanchet: [He laughs.] It ought to be. I am a real sea captain. That should do it. If the shrimp are out there, we’ll get them.
Andreas: How many pounds of shrimp can you catch on a good day?
Blanchet: On a good day, I might catch a lot, but the market might be low.
Andreas: Can’t you wait for the price to go up?
Blanchet: I can, but the shrimp can’t. They will spoil.
Andreas: Hey, what’s that big bird out there? It dived into the water.
Blanchet: That’s a pelican. It’s diving after fish. It’s probably looking for my shrimp!
Andreas: Boy, being a fisherman isn’t easy!
Blanchet: But it’s a good life. I love being on the sea early in the morning. I love smelling the salt air. I’m not the type to work in an office all day. [He continues to work and sing.] Jambalaya, and a crawfish pie, and a file gumbo, ‘cause tonight I’m…
Andreas: That’s a nice song. What are the words?
Blanchet: [singing.] Jambalaya, and a crawfish pie, and a file gumbo. [talking] Those are all seafood dishes. [singing] ‘Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma cherie mio. [translating] I’m going to see my sweetheart. [talking] You see, singing makes the work easy.
Andreas: In Greece, the fishermen sing, too.
Blanchet: Greece! Are you from there?
Andreas: Yes, I am.
Blanchet: Well, how’s the fishing?
Andreas: Oh, it’s good. Why? Are you looking for a new place to work?
Blanchet: Oh, no. I’m looking for a place to go on vacation. Of course, even on vacation, I love to fish.
[They all laugh.] |