INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Dr. Philip Stewart takes his wife Ellen for a rowboat ride. They are having fun. But something is on Philip’s mind. Many of his young patients spend most of their afternoons at home watching television. There are better ways to spend time after school. As Ellen and Philip talk about the problem, Ellen gets and idea.
ACT I
Ellen: [singing] Row, row, row your boat. [speaking] OK? [singing] Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life-.
Philip: [He starts to sing while Ellen is singing.] Row, row, row your boat, merrily, merrily -- [speaking] Oh, Ellen, I missed my line.
Ellen: [She laughs.] Who cares? It’s a wonderful afternoon, Philip. You had a wonderful idea. What made you think of renting a rowboat?
Philip: A beautiful day, a beautiful wife, a beautiful song…
Ellen: [She laughs.] Beautiful song? You have something on your mind, Philip.
Philip: Yes, I do. I had a patient yesterday. Do you remember Ben Tinker?
Ellen: Of course. I know Ben. He’s in your office quite often.
Philip: That’s right. First he has a cold, then a sore throat. Nothing really serious, but he’s always sick.
Ellen: Something must be wrong.
Philip: Yes. The boy sits home and watches television every afternoon. He needs to be more active.
Ellen: What do his parents say?
Philip: They both have to work all day. They can’t be with him in the afternoon. It’s unhealthy to sit inside every day. Children should be outside running around. Children need something to do after school.
El: Our children were lucky. I was at home to take care of them.
Ph: You taught them music, and you went for nature walks.
Ellen: Yes, but now, in most families, the fathers and the mothers have to work. Maybe the state government could do something.
Philip: Do you think we could do something about it?
Ellen: You know, I can do something. I can start a committee. We can talk to people about the problem, and ask them to sign their names on a petition. The petition could ask the state government to give money for afternoon programs in the schools.
Philip: [He thinks.] After-school programs. Now, that sounds good.
Ellen: Yes. There should be organized activities: art, drama, sports and games. Of course, music.
Philip: That’s it! That’s the answer to Ben’s problem. After-school activities are much better than television.
Ellen: And active children will stay strong and healthy.
Philip: Right! And what do healthy children mean to a doctor?
Ellen: Tell me, doctor.
Philip: Well, maybe I can take an afternoon off from work. And you and I can rent another rowboat!
INTRODUCTION TO ACT II
This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Ellen Stewart is in a large shopping center in Riverdale, New York. She sits in the shopping center at a small table, talking to the shoppers. She wants them to stop and sign their names to a petition. The petition is a letter to Ellen’s local state government representative. The petition asks the state government to give money for afternoon activities in schools.
ACT II
Ellen: Excuse me, sir.
Man: Yes?
Ellen: I’m Ellen Stewart. Could you sign your name to our petition?
Man: Maybe. I have to read it first.
Ellen: Please do. It’s about after-school programs for children with working parents.
Man: [He reads.] “Dear Representative Alvarez…”
Ellen: He’s our local representative to the state government.
Man: Yes, I know. [He reads the petition.] “We are a group of citizens concerned about our children.” Hmm. After-school programs? That sounds very good.
Ellen: Do you have children?
Man：I have two. A boy and a girl.
Ellen: Do you need a program for them to go to after school?
Man: Yes. Both my wife and I work full-time. This is a very good idea. We need this. Where do I sign?
Ellen: Right here.
Woman: [to the man] Hey, Pete! Hi!
Man: Oh，Donna．Hi！
Woman：What are you doing here?
Man: I’m signing a petition. It asks for after-school programs for children.
Woman: Well, I agree with that idea.
Ellen: Our committee thinks children watch too much television. They need to be active.
Woman: You’re right.
Ellen: This petition is for our local government representative. I think there are going to be a lot of names. So maybe he’ll try to get the state government to help.
Woman: I hope so. I’ll sign my name.
El: Thank you. We need lots of signatures.
Man: I think you’ll get them. Good luck!
Ellen: Thank you. And good-bye. [to another man] Oh, sir. May I bother you?
2nd man: Yes?
Ellen: I have a petition. It asks Representative Alvarez to get more money from the state government for education.
2nd man: I’m very interested in your petition. But I’m afraid I cannot sign it.
Ellen: Well, will you please read it. Then decide.
Robbie: [He walks toward Ellen.]
Ellen：Robbie! What are you doing here?
Robbie : I’m going to the video store. It’s just a few stores away. [to the man] Oh, hell. Nice to see you again, sir.
2nd man: Do you know me?
Robbie: You came to Riverdale High School. I interviewed you for the school newspaper.
2nd man: I remember now. Robbie…?
Robbie: Robbie Stewart.
2nd man: Is this your mother?
Robbie: Yes. I’m sorry, I thought you knew each other. This is my mother, Ellen Stewart.
2nd man: How do you do, Mrs. Stewart?
Ellen: You do look familiar. I didn’t get your name.
Robbie: Mom! This is Representative Alvarez.
Ellen: You’re Representative Alvarez! How do you do? |