INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on Tuning in the U.S.A., we are outside the Stewart home in Riverdale. Robbie is practicing basketball. But he seems to be sad, and his mother Ellen is worried about him. Ellen discovers the cause of her son’s unhappiness. Then Robbie’s father and grandfather return from getting haircuts at the barbershop. And together the family solves Robbie’s problem.
ACT I
Robbie: [to himself] OK. I’ll put it in the basket this time.
Ellen: Hi, Robbie.
Robbie: oh, hi, Mom.
Ellen and Robbie: oh!
Ellen: Too bad! You almost made it!
Robbie: Yes, but I missed. And in basketball, “almost” isn’t good enough.
Ellen: I think you’re going to make it this time.
[He tries another basketball shot.]
Ellen and Robbie: Oh!
Robbie: I missed it again.
Ellen: Well, I thought the ball was going right in the basket.
Robbie: But it didn’t. [sadly] I’m going to take a rest.
Ellen: Good. I want to talk to you.
Robbie: Did I do something wrong?
Ellen: Oh, no, dear. But your father and I are a litter worried about you.
Robbie: Worried? About me?
Ellen: Yes. You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself these days. Tell me, is something wrong?
Robbie: Well, not really, but …but…
Ellen: What’s bothering you, Robbie?
Robbie: My driving lessons! I mean, they’re over. Richard was teaching me to drive his car.
Ellen: Aha! And now he’s gone. He’s off on his trip around the country.
Robbie: And here I am, old enough to learn to drive a car, and there’s no one to teach me.
Ellen: I understand. Summer is passing.
Robbie: Summer is passing? Mom, My life is passing!
Ellen: Don’t be silly, Robbie. We’ll thinking of something.
[The family car pulls into the driveway.]
Ellen: It’s Dad and Grandpa.
Phillip: Hey there! Grandpa and I are home!
Ellen: Hi, Philip. Hi, Grandpa. You both look very nice.
Grandpa: [joking] Well, we had our ears lowered.
Robbie: Uh-huh.
Grandpa: That’s a joke, Robbie! It means we got haircuts.
Robbie: I know, grandpa. Your ears seem lower because your hair is short.
Ellen: Robbie’s unhappy because Richard is gone.
Philip: We all miss Richard.
Ellen: But, you see, Richard was teaching Robbie to drive.
Philip: No problem! One of us can teach you to drive. Why don’t you ask your grandfather?
Robbie: Would you teach me, grandpa?
Grandpa: I’d like that very much.
Philip: There. That’s answer. Grandpa will teach Robbie to drive. Now, tell me the truth. There’s a new barber at the shop. What do you think of my haircut?
Robbie: You had a haircut? I thought you had your ears lowered. [They all laugh.]
INTRODUCTION TO ACT II
This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Robbie Stewart is having a driving lesson. His brother Richard started to teach him, but Richard is traveling now. He’s not here to help Robbie learn to drive. Grandpa Stewart is Robbie’s new driving teacher. And during their lesson, he helps Robbie make a big decision.
ACT II
Grandpa: All set for your first driving lesson, Robbie?
Robbie: You bet, Grandpa. But it’s not my first driving lesson. Richard gave me about six lessons.
Gr: Well. Ok. But you have a new teacher now. Me. And it’s lesson number one. All right now. Let’s learn to drive! Take the keys, and start up the car.
Ro: Grandpa, that’s not the first thing to do.
Gr: Who is the teacher here? Come on, put the key in the ignition. Then give it a turn to the right.
Ro: Wait a minute, Grandpa. I really think you’re forgetting something. We should do something else first.
Gr: What is it?
Ro: Grandpa, look around. What do you see?
Gr: Oh, of course! I remember now. My seat belt! I did forget something important.
Ro: That’s right! That was Richard’s first lesson. In accidents, seat belts really do save lives.
Gr: [He puts on his seat belt.] All right. Now, are you ready to start the car?
Ro: Yes. Here we go. Key in the ignition. Turn it to the right and…
Gr: Say, you’re pretty good at that. Now look around you. Make sure the way is clear, and let’s go.
Ro: [He drives away.] How am I doing?
Gr: You’re doing fine!
Ro: Shall we drive to the river?
Gr: Fine. Just don’t drive into it! [They both laugh.]
Ro: I like driving. Someday soon I’m going to get my own car.
Gr: That sounds reasonable. You’ll have to ask your parents, of course. But I think it’s a good idea.
Ro: You do? Right now? At my age?
Gr: Well, owning a car is a big responsibility. Are you ready for that?
Ro: Sure. But I don’t have enough money to buy one yet.
Gr: Well, You know the answer to that problem.
Ro: I know, Grandpa. I guess I have to get a job.
Gr: Yes, you do. But think of it. With your own car, you can drive anywhere.
Ro: Yes, that will be great. I’ll get a job, and then I’ll get my own car. Oh, but there’s one other thing.
Gr: [joking] Is it my seat belt again? It’s fastened.
Ro: [He laughs.] No. Passing the test for my driver’s license! But thanks to you, that part should be easy.
Gr: You don’t have a problem there, Robbie. You’re doing fine. |