PROGRAM 19 “ Just Like the Old Days”
INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., we are with Philip and Ellen Stewart in the backyard of their home. It’s a beautiful Saturday morning, and there are the usual household chores to do: cleaning the house, cutting the grass, changing the beds. But all the other Stewarts are away from home, and there is no one to help. So Philip and Ellen decide to do the chores themselves. They have especially happy memories of one job, and they decide to begin with that one.
ACT I
Ellen: Philip, what are you doing in the garden? You’re just standing there.
Philip: I’m not just standing, Ellen. I’m enjoying the peace and quite. If you hand me those clippers, I’ll clip the dead flowers off the rosebush at the same time.
Ellen: Peace and quiet. You’re right. Everyone’s gone today and we’re alone. Here are the clippers.
Philip: Thanks. [ He begins to clip the dead flowers. ] We have the whole place to ourselves.
Ellen: Isn’t it nice?
Philip: It’s great to have a big family, but it’s also nice to have some time alone. Still, you know, we could use some help around here today.
Ellen: Yes. Look at that grass. It needs cutting. Who cut the lawn last time?
Philip: I think it was Robbie.
Ellen: Ah, but Robbie’s not here.
Philip: So that grass will probably just get longer today! It’s been a long time since I mowed the lawn. That’s one of the benefits of a big family.
Ellen: I see your point. So it’s the day to do chores, and all the helpers are gone.
Philip: But it’s a beautiful day. [ He stops trimming the bushes.] There! Now that little rosebush looks better. Could you turn on the faucet, please? I think I’ll give all the flowers some water.
Ellen: Mmm-hmm. What did we do before we had children to help out?
Philip: Wd did everything ourselves, of course.
Ellen: We were younger then.
Philip: We’re still young, Ellen! C’mon, let’s just get started.
Ellen: All right. But where should we start?
Philip: Let’s start with the car. Usually, by this time, Robbie has washed it.
Ellen: Or he takes it to the car-washing place, and they do it for him.
Philip: Ahhh, but then he has to pay for it. I’ve told him, “ If you spend all your money, you’ll never be able to buy your first car.” So he usually washes it himself.
Ellen: Philip, do you remember our first car?
Philip: We used to wash it every other day.
Ellen: We did have such fun taking care of it.
Philip: And we can still have fun! Come on, let’s get started. Grab this hose. We’re going to wash the car.
END OF ACT I
INTRODUCTION TO ACT II
This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Philip and Ellen Stewart are at home alone on a Saturday morning. Washing the car is the first thing on their list of chores to do. They decide to have fun and to do it the old way—when they had their first car. Working together this way brings back many happy memories.
ACT II
Ellen: Will the garden hose reach the car, Philip?
Philip: It should reach all the way around to the other side of the car.
Ellen: OK, Philip. I think I’m ready to begin.
Philip: It’s just like the old days, Ellen.
Ellen: Do we have everything?
Philip: It’s all right here. Soap, scrub brush, a piece of cloth, and an old towel.
Ellen: What about the vinegar?
Philip: Why do we need vinegar?
Ellen: We used to use vinegar and newspaper to wash the windows.
Philip: Ah! I remember. I’ll go get some vinegar from the kitchen. [ He goes inside the house.]
Mrs. Goldberg: [She calls from her yard.] How are you Mrs. Stewart?
Ellen: Oh, good morning, Mrs. Goldberg. I’m fine. Lovely day.
Mrs. Goldberg: Couldn’t be nicer. Oh, you’re washing your car today.
Ellen: Yes, we are.
Mrs. Goldberg: You know, there’s a new car-washing business on Pike Street. You could go here.
Ellen: Oh, Dr. Stewart and I are going to have some fun and do it ourselves. Just like in the old days.
Philip: [ He puts on some music. ] Hi, Mrs. Goldberg.
Mrs. Goldberg: Good morning.
Ellen:: Oh, Philip. I love this old music.
Philip: Yes, just a little music to wash the car by.
Mrs. Goldberg : Oh, that’s nice.
Philip We used to have a 1954 Chevrolet. We washed it a couple of times a week. That was years ago.
Ellen: This was our favorite song then.
Mrs. Goldberg: Ah, the good old days. I must be going. You two have fun.
Philip: We will. It’s nice to see you. Mrs. Goldberg.
Mrs Goldberg: And it’s good to see both of you!
Philip: OK, Ellen. Didn’t we always start at the top?
Ellen: That’s right. You scrubbed with the brush while I held the hose.
Philip: Then we’ll do it that way.{They begin to wash the car.}
Philip: The car looks great. Is that all?
Ellen: That’s it.
Philip: I don’t want to forget anything.
Ellen: Philip? Are you saying that we should do everything the old way?
Philip: Everything.
Ellen: Well, all right. Remember, after we washed the headlights and tires, I ….uh…
Philip: Was there something else?
Ellen: Well, yes. I always got you wet with the hose! [ She sprays him with water.]
Philip: Ahhh!
END OF ACT II |