LAMDA ACTING PROGRAMME 2020

GRADE SIX – CONTEMPORARY PIECE 1 (BOYS)

ChatroombyEndaWalshJIM:Right,wellJ'msixyearsoldandmythreebrothersaregoingawaywithmymotherfortheweekend,atreatforsomethingorother.Mydad'sstayingbehindandmymothersaysthathe'stolookafterme.Thatitwouldbeachanceforustobond.Sothey’vegone,andmeandmydadaresatatthekitchentablelookingateachother.Likewe'relookingateachotherforthefirsttime,youknow.HeasksmewhatIwanttodoandstraightawayIsayIwanttogoandseethepenguinsinthezoo.WhenIwassixIwasgoingthroughsomemadpenguinobsession.Iusedtodressupasapenguinatdinnertimesandalwaysaskforfishfingers,stufflikethat.Ifitwasn'tpenguinsitwascowboys.Cowboyswerecool.Apenguincostumedasacowboywasalwaysasteptoofar,funnilyenough.SowegotothezooandIwearmycowboyoutfit,getmygunandholster,myhatandallthat.Wegetthebusandit'ssortoffunnytoseemydadonabusandawayfromthehouse.WestarttohavethischataboutwhenIwasbornandwhatareallyfatbabyIwas,buthowafteraweekorsoIstoppedeatinganyfoodandeveryonewasveryworried.Thathewasveryworried.ThathewassohappywhenIgotbetterandtheycouldtakemehome.We'reinthezooandIgostraighttothepenguins.Standinginmycowboygear...lookingatthepenguins...havingsuchagreatchattomydadonthebus...itwasaperfectchildhoodday.Heletsgoofmyhandandsayshe'llbebackwithmychoc-ice.Andhegoes.He'sgone.I'mhappylookingatthepenguinsbutit'sanhoursincehe'sleftandIgotolookforhim.I'mwalkingaboutthezooandI'mnotworriedyet.AndIdon'ttalktoanyone.IleavethezooandIgotothebusstopwegotoffatearlier.Igetonthebus.Itellthedrivermyaddress.HeaskswheremyparentsareandIsaythey'reathomewaitingforme.Istayonthebusintheseatnearestthedriver.Afterawhileweendupattheendofourstreetandthedriversays,'Solong,cowboy.'Hewasnice.Igetthekeyfromunderthematandopenthedoorandgoinsidethehouse.AndI'malonethere.Itakeoffmycowboyclothesandhangupmyhatandholster.ItbeingSaturdaynightIhaveabathandgetintomy

pyjamasbecausemydadwouldhavelikedthat.IhaveaglassofmilkandsomebiscuitsandwatchStarsinTheirEyes'causethatwashisfavouriteprogrammeonthetelly.It’sgettingdarkoutsideandIstarttoworry.ThehouseisfeelingtoobigsoIgetmyquiltandtakeitintothebathroomandlockthebathroomdooranditfeelssaferwiththedoorlockedsoIstayinthere.Andhe'snotcomingback.He'snevercomingback.Islaytherefortwodays.