INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Richard is in the basement of the Stewart home. He’s working in his photography work-shop-his darkroom. Richard hasn’t had much success today. He has been working hard to develop some pictures of a cattle auction from his trip out West. Finally, Richard feels that he has solved his problems with the picture. But at that moment, Robbie opens the darkroom door and lets in the light. And the light ruins Richard’s photograph.
Act I
Richard: [He speaks to himself.] Ok. Now. I’m going to try to develop this photograph one more time.
Ellen: [she knocks on the door.] Richard? Are you in the darkroom?
Ri: Yeah, Mom. But don’t open the door!
El: I won’t. I know better than to do that.
Ri: I know you do, Mom.
El: How’s it coming?
Ri: I’ve been trying to develop this picture all day. I haven’t had much success. But I think I’ve solved the problem.
El: Good. I’m glad to hear it. Marilyn and I are leaving now to go the city.
Ri: Ok. Have a good time. And give my best to Susan.
El: I will. And good luck with your work! We’ll be back after dinner.
Ri: Ok. See you then. [He speaks to himself.] Ok. Now, Where was I? Oh, yes. I was about to refill this tray…And now, I should be ready to print a picture. … [He counts.] One, two, three, four. Ok, now. That was four seconds of exposure. So, I take the photographic paper, and I drop it in the developing solution. And picture number two goes into the developing bath with picture number one. It’s a great photograph. The Denver cattle auction. I have a feeling that this one is going to be a prizewinner! … Hmm. I’d better set the timer to ring in one minute and ten seconds. That should be the perfect amount of time for the print to develop. [He hums the tune to the song “She’ll Be Coming’Round the Mountain When She Comes”.]
Ro: [calling] Hey, Richard!
Richard: I’m down here, Rob. [He hums.] Hmm. Only one minute more. [He hums.]
Ro: [he enters the darkroom.] Richard, there’s a phone call for you…
Ri: Robbie, you jerk! How could you be so stupid!
Ro: Oh no! I forgot!
Ri: I’ll say you forgot! You should pay more attention. You opened the door, and the light ruined my work.
Ro: I didn’t mean to. I thought…
Ri: I don’t care. Just get out of here and leave me alone.
Ro: You don’t have to scream at me! I didn’t know that you were working.
Ri: [calling] Hey! Hey, Robbie!
INTRODUCTION TO ACT II
This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., we are with Robbie in the kitchen of the Stewart home. He’s making dinner, but he’s upset because his brother Richard is angry with him. Robbie opened the door to Richard’s darkroom, and the light damaged Richard’s photographs. Now, as Robbie prepares dinner, he cuts his finger. But Richard is there to help him.
Act II
Robbie: [he makes dinner and speaks.] How was I supposed to know he was in the middle of developing some photographs? I didn’t mean to ruin his pictures. And now I have to make dinner… [He cuts himself with a knife by mistake.] Ouch! Oh no! Now I’ve cut my finger. [He washes his finger.] I guess Richard was right. I am a jerk. I open the darkroom door and ruin his photography work. And then I cut my finger with a knife.
Richard: [calling] Robbie? Where are you?
Ro: Oh, great. [calling back] I’m in here, Richard. In the kitchen.
Ri: [he enters.] What happened?
Ro: Nothing.
Ri: If nothing happened, why are you standing at the sink and holding your hand under the running water?
Ro: I told you. Nothing happened. I’m Ok.
Ri: Robbie, you’re bleeding!
Ro: It’s only a little cut.
Ri: Here. Let me see. That looks like a bad cut. [He truns off the water.]
Ro: Yeah, Pretty stupid, wasn’t it?
Ri: Hey, forget about that. Let me put some pressure on the cut. That’ll help stop the bleeding. Ok? I’ll try not to hurt you.
Ro: Ok.
Ri: How did you do this?
Ro: You want the truth, Richard? I wasn’t paying attention. Just like you said, I was a stupid jerk.
Ri: Stop it, Robbie! Listen. I came upstairs to say I’m sorry. I lost my temper. You didn’t ruin all my work.
Ro: I didn’t?
Ri: Well, not all of it. You messed up the stuff I had in the developing tray, but I was able to make another print. And it’s just as good as the first one.
Robbie: You’re not just saying that.
Ri: No. It’s really just as good. I’m sorry I yelled at you. But, next time, please be more careful, will you?
Ro: Ok. I’m real sorry I opened the darkroom door. I’ll be more careful from now on. Honest, I will.
Ri: All right. Hey, this cut is going to need a good bandage.
Ro: Did your pictures really come out Ok?
Ri: Wait’ll you see them. I’ve got four or five terrific photographs of the cattle auction in Denver.
Ro: I’m glad they’re Ok. I’m just sorry I made so much extra work for you.
Ri: Hey. Let’s just forget it. How are you making out with dinner?
Ro: Not so well, as you can see. Since no one is home tonight, either you or I will have to cook. And now with this cut on my finger…
Ri: Say no more, Robbie. Should I finish chopping the broccoli?
Ro: That’d be great. I’ve had enough of knives for one day! |