INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., we are in the Stewart home. Ellen is playing the piano when Philip enters the room. He has found an old horn in an upstairs closet. It was a wedding present many years ago. Tomorrow is the anniversary of their wedding. Philip and Ellen plan to spend the evening quietly at home. They think the children have forgotten all about their anniversary. Perhaps they have, but Philip receives a mysterious phone call.
ACT I
[Philip blows the horn.]
Ellen: Ah! [She stops playing the piano.] Philip!
Philip: [He blows the horn again.] Yes, Ellen?
Ellen: Where in the world did you find that horn?
Philip: In the upstairs closet. I was cleaning out a box full of old things.
Ellen: But where did we get a horn?
Philip: This bugle? You don’t remember?
Ellen: Should I?
Philip: Oh, you’ve forgotten!
Ellen: Oh dear, let me think.
[Philip hums the “Wedding March”]
Ellen: Oh, Philip, of course! I forgot our wedding.
Philip: That’s it. Your cousin Arnold gave us the horn as a wedding gift.
El: Why did he do that?
Ph: Oh, you know Arnold. He’s always been a joker. [He blows the horn again, quickly.]
[They both laugh.]
Ph: It is sort of funny, a bugle for a wedding gift.
El: Philip, I’m so happy I married you.
Ph: I feel the same way.
El: And what day is it today?
Ph: It’s the day before our wedding anniversary
El: Lucky us! So many good years together.
Ph: And we have a lot of good years left.
El: You know, I think the children have forgotten our anniversary this year.
Ph: Let them forget. They are all so busy.
El: We could have a quiet evening by ourselves.
Ph: I had the same idea. A romantic, candle light dinner with my wife. What could be nicer?
El: I don’t know. Maybe one with our children, too?
Ph: But they all seem to have plans for something for tomorrow night. [The phone rings.]
Ph: I’ll get it. [He speaks into the telephone.] Hello…Susan’s not in. I can give you her telephone number. Who’s calling? ... She’s at area code two one two, five five five, four three three oh… You’re welcome. Good-bye. [He thinks.] That’s funny.
El: Someone for Susan?
Ph: Yes. It was the Kitty Cat Bath Toy Company.
El: [She laughs.] That is funny. Kitty Cat Bath Toys. Cats don’t like water.
Ph: I didn’t think of that.
El: Then why did you say it was funny?
Ph: I said it was funny because it sounded like your cousin Arnold.
El: Arnold? Why would Arnold be calling Susan?
INTRODUCTION TO ACT II
This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., we are at home with the Stewart children. Susan and Robbie are there, and Richard’s wife Marilyn is there, too. Today is Philip and Ellen Stewart’s wedding anniversary. While they are away from the house, the children are preparing a surprise party for them. When Philip and Ellen arrive home, the party will begin. And there will be one especially surprising guest.
Act II
Marilyn: Where should I put these flowers, Susan?
Susan: Oh, Marilyn, umm… over there.
Robbie: Are you sure that Mom and Dad don’t know about this party?
Su: Robbie, I’m as sure as I can be.
Ro: Yeah, but how sure is that?
Su: C’mon. Just keep blowing up the balloons, please. They should be here in just a few minutes.
Ro: Susan, there are already plenty of balloons.
Su: Mom and Dad’s anniversary is important, Robbie. Marilyn and I have been planning this party for a long time.
Ro: The place looks great.
Su: C’mon. Blow up that balloon. And don’t talk.
Ro: Ok. I’m blowing. Take it easy.
Su: I guess I haven’t been very easy to get along with today. I’ve been nervous about the party. I want it to be perfect.
Ro: It can’t be perfect. Richard’s not here. Does he know about the party?
Su: Yes, I telephoned him. He can’t come all the way from Seattle. But later tonight, he’s going to phone and wish Mom and Dad a happy anniversary.
Ro: That sounds almost perfect.
Su: I think that’s the last balloon. Thanks for all your help, Robbie.
Ro: You’re welcome. This should be fun. I love surprise parties. Are all the guests here?
Su: Yes. Mom’s cousin Arnold just got here. They are all getting ready. When we hear the car drive up they’ll hide. And when Mom and Dad come in, they will all jump up and yell “surprise!”
Ro: Hey! There’s a car pulling in the driveway.
Su: Let’s tell the guests. [to the guests] Everybody hide. Here come Mom and Dad! [whispering] Ok. Get ready.
Ro: [whispering] What’s that? Another car?
Susan: [whispering] I don’t know. Shhh! [Ellen and Philip enter.]
All: [yelling] Surprise!
Ph: What’s this? Susan? Marilyn?
El: What’s going on? Arnold!
All: Happy anniversary!
Su: It’s a surprise party for you, Mom and Dad. Happy anniversary from all of us!
Ri: [he enters.] And happy anniversary from me, too!
El: Richard? Is that you?
Ph: Welcome home son!
Ma: Richard? I don’t believe it! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Seattle.
Ri: I wanted to surprise the party! [Everyone laughs.] |