Silly Scripts, Stories and Scenarios: A Matter of Taste
The students chose their own characters and then we built the story together. They have very clown-like imaginations!
This group is old enough to remember what to say. I remember that I ended up having to play the Black Ghost in the performance for some reason. The space ship was a round table in the middle of the stage space – it was just the floor at the side of the room. The dogs hid under the table and the Aliens were sitting on top. I remember that I felt over-sized climbing onto the table and pretending to steer. Because there were no curtains or lights we used Freezing as a technique to move from scene to scene – where the actors Freeze onstage and hold the pose for a few seconds to indicate the end of a scene. Again, the students chose their own characters and then we built the story together. They have very clown-like imaginations!
A Matter of Taste
Age 7/8’s at MTYP, February 2009
Characters:
SARAH – young woman with two pet dogs
JESSICA and LIZZY – pet dogs with human qualities
INSPECTOR CLUESOSO and INSPECTOR BLUESOSO – unusual detectives
JACKSON – a space humanoid
BLACK GHOST – the spaceman’s magical creature
NARRATOR
Set
On SL is a Detective Agency. CS is SARAH’S kitchen. SR is the backyard to SARAH’S house where the spaceship lands. The play opens in SARAH’S kitchen.
Scene 1
SARAH: Oh, my sweet little dogs. Here Lizzy catch the ball.
JESSICA: I want to catch the ball!
SARAH: Here Jessica, it is your turn. Oh, I’m making pizza for you deary, and
it ‘s cinnamon sticks for you Lizzy.
LIZZY: Yeah! I love cinnamon sticks. My turn!
SARAH: Oh, it smells like it is ready! Just some snacks and then we’re going to bed. Oh, you two are so special!
(SARAH feeds the dogs and then they put the chairs together and all go to sleep.)
Scene 2
(In the space ship.)
JACKSON: We’re almost there, Black Ghost. I’ve never been to Earth before. I hear that they have a wonderful meal called spaghetti. I hear it’s very stringy but delicious. I hope I get to try it. It looks like there is a spot to land right there.
BLACK GHOST: I hear that creatures on earth can’t even talk. I hear that they just bark and meow and such. I’m so much smarter that that.
JACKSON: You’re the smartest creature in outer space. Landing….10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1……Here we are. I’ll open the door. Quiet, let’s explore.
(JACKSON flips a lever to open the door. JACKSON and BLACK GHOST leave space ship and explore SARAH’S back yard. JACKSON tries to open the house door but it is locked, so BLACK GHOST uses his electric paw to open it. They sneak inside. The DOGS wake up and whisper to each other. The DOGS whisper together and sneak past JACKSON and BLACK GHOST to sniff around the space ship and then go inside it.)
JACKSON: Well, I don’t see anything interesting here.
BLACK GHOST: No, just that lady sleeping. Let’s go back.
JACKSON: Okay.
(BLACK GHOST sniffs Sarah’s boots and takes one. JACKSON and the BLACK GHOST leave the house through the back door and re-enter the space ship.)
JACKSON: Earth seems very dull! Fasten you eat belt! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ….. Blast Off!!!!
(JACKSON and BLACK GHOST are flying into outer space when LIZZY and JESSICA are hiding. Freeze.)
Scene 3
(SARAH wakes up slowly and looks around for her pets. She begins searching in the house and then calling out the door.)
SARAH: Lizzy, Jessica?!! Where are you? (going to the phone) Hello, is that the Inspector Bleuso Brothers Detective Agency?
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Yes, of course. What can I do for you?
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Who is it?
SARAH: I need your help. My dogs are missing.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: How do I know if you don’t keep quiet?
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Well, excuse me I was just curious!
INSPECTOR CLUESO: (Glaring at INSPECTOR BLUESO), Excuse me M’am, could you repeat that?
SARAH: Hello, is that the Inspector Blueso Brothers Detective Agency?
INSPECTOR CLUESO: No, not that!
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Not what?
INSPECTOR CLUESO: (to INSPECTOR BLUESO) Be quiet!! Please, what can I do for you Madame?
SARAH: My precious pets have disappeared.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Your precious pets?
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Her precious pets?
SARAH: Yes, my precious pets.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Ahh, your precious pets.
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Ahh, her precious pets.
SARAH: Can you help me find them?
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Of course, we’ll be right over. Where do you live?
SARAH: 22 Sailboat Lane.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: 22 Sailboat Lane.
INSPECTOR BLUESO: 22 Sailboat Lane. Let’s go!
(The INSPECTORS get on their coats and go to SARAH’S house. They continue their investigation silently while the audience focuses on the spaceship.)
Scene 4
(The DOGS find the dials at the front of the ship and start playing with them. They flip a big lever. JACKSON has been sitting with his back to them with BLACK GHOST, watching a screen. Suddenly he yells.)
JACKSON: The direction has reversed. We’re heading back to Earth.
BLACK GHOST: (sniffing) I smell something funny.
(All of a sudden loud music starts. The DOGS start dancing. JACKSON and BLACK GHOST cover their ears.)
JACKSON: Augh!!! It’s Earthlings!! How did they get in our ship? We’re being kidnapped. Do something Black Ghost!!!!!!
(BLACK GHOST starts dancing.)
JACKSON: Oh no, we’re doomed. Get into positions for landing.
LIZZY: We’re going home!
JESSICA: Already!!
BLACK GHOST: They talk!
(BLACK GHOST and DOGS look surprised. Music stops. DOGS crouch down. BLACK GHOST takes his seat beside JACKSON and does up his seat belt.)
JACKSON: Landing 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ……….
(All the characters in the space ship jump like they are landing. LIZZY and JESSICA look stunned. Freeze.)
Scene 5
(Meanwhile, the DETECTIVES were carrying out their investigation. They begin to interview SARAH.)
INSPECTOR CLUESO: When did you last see your precious dogs?
SARAH: When I went to bed last night.
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Where were they then?
SARAH: Asleep beside me.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Where were they when you woke up?
SARAH: I don’t know. That’s why I phoned you.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: That’s why you phoned us.
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Yes, that’s why she phoned us. Let’s look around.
SARAH: And my boot’s missing.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Your boot?
INSPECTOR BLUESO: One boot? Strange.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: What on earth is that sound?
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Yes, that sound!
SARAH: It seems to be coming from the backyard.
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Yes, the back yard!
Scene 6
(The DETECTIVES and SARAH open the door and go around to the yard just as JACKSON flips a lever and comes out of the ship followed by the BLACK GHOST, then LIZZY and JESSICA run outside into the yard and up to Sarah.)
SARAH: My precious pets. There are the kidnappers! Arrest them.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Arrest them!
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Yes, arrest them. Come with us you strange looking kidnappers.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Yes. Come along, no fuss now.
(The DETECTIVES handcuff JACKSON and BLACK GHOST, lead them to jail and lock them in. JACKSON and BLACK GHOST follow timidly because they are glad to get away from the precious pets. The DETECTIVES relax and play cards, then try to catch a nap.
Scene 7
(SARAH is in the kitchen with the dogs.)
SARAH: Oh, my sweet little dogs. Here Lizzy catch the ball.
JESSICA: I want to catch the ball!
SARAH: Here Jessica, it is your turn. Oh, I’m making pizza for you deary, and
it ‘s cinnamon sticks for you Lizzy.
LIZZY: Yeah! I love cinnamon sticks. My turn!
SARAH: Oh, it smells like it’s ready! Just some snacks and then we’re going to bed. Oh, you two are so special! I’m so glad you’re back. What an adventure you had!
(SARAH feeds the dogs and then they put the chairs together and all go to sleep.)
SARAH: Now don’t you go anywhere!!
Scene 8
(JACKSON and BLACK GHOST are pacing back and forth in jail.)
JACKSON: This is boring. Why don’t you zap the lock, and let’s get out of here while we can!
BLACK GHOST: Yes, okay. I smell some delicious lunch around the corner. I’ll only take one.
(BLACK GHOST zaps the lock open and takes one of the DETECTIVE’S boots. BLACK GHOST sees the other DETECTIVE’S boots and grabs it.)
BLACK GHOST: Well, I’ll try one of each flavor. Let’s get going.
(DETECTIVES start to stir. BLACK GHOST drops a boot, the DETECTIVES jump up. JACKSON grabs the boot and yells.)
JACKSON: What did you do that for???? Run for the ship!!!!
(In slow motion the DETECTIVES chase SPACE CREATURES back to the house, around the house and through the kitchen. The DOGS jump up and chase.)
Scene 9
(The SPACE CREATURES make it inside the ship, shut the door, do the count down and take off. DETECTIVES, SARAH, and DOGS watch.)
JACKSON: Fasten your seatbelt. All systems ready! No stowaways!! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1……Blast off!!!!
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Well, there they go! I do believe he took my boot.
INSPECTOR BLUESO: Yes, he took my boot.
INSPECTOR CLUESO: Not your boot, my boot!
INSPECTOR BLUESO: No, my boot is gone! I should know!
INSPECTOR CLUESO: How do you know my boot from your boot??!!
SARAH: Really!!! My boot is gone too!
INSPECTOR CLUESO and INSPECTOR BLUESO: Your boot?
SARAH: Yes, I think that space creature eats boots!
INSPECTOR CLUESO and INSPECTOR BLUESO: No! Really???
LIZZIE: Boots are over-rated.
JESSICA: Yes, I prefer Pizza.
SARAH: There’s nothing like dog biscuits!
(In the space ship.)
BLACK GHOST: (Handing JACKSON a lace,) Try this. I think it’s spaghetti.
JACKSON: At last, I get to try spaghetti! Stringy, but delicious!
(Freeze)
END
