A Family Play Essay

Robert: If you don’t like what I’m watching then go and watch the other TV. Mary: No! Why don’t you just put it on something that we both like? Mum and Dad are watching the other TV anyway. Robert: Because I like this. Mary: Well you need to go to bed soon. Robert: Well when I do then you can watch what you like. Mary: Why do you always need to be so selfish? I hate having a younger brother like you. (Short pause of silence) Shelly: (shouting) Robert it’s time for bed now. Robert: Alright I’m going, I’m going. (Robert stands up) Mary: Can I have the remote control, Robert? Robert: If you say please. Mary: Don’t be such an idiot and just give it to me! (Robert leaves the remote control where he’s sitting smiles sweetly at Mary and leaves the room) Robert: G’night Mum, G’night Dad. Shelly and Colin: Goodnight Robert, sleep well. (Next day and Robert wakes up very excited because it’s his birthday, he gets dressed and goes downstairs where his parents are eating breakfast. ) Robert: (happily) Good morning! Shelly: Morning Robert, you seem very cheerful today? You’re usually half asleep at this time in the morning. Robert: (laughing) Am I not allowed to be cheerful on my birthday? – When can I open my presents? Colin: (looks extremely worried) Well†¦ Robert: Can I open them now? Where’ve you put them? Shelly: Hmm†¦ Well†¦ Robert I think that we both kind of forgot what the date was. Colin: (convincingly) It’s not that we forgot when your birthday was! – It’s just that we’ve both been so busy with work recently we haven’t been keeping track of what the day is. Robert: (shocked) You mean†¦ you forgot my birthday?! Shelly: No! We just haven’t had the time to get you a present yet. Robert: I can’t believe it! My own parents forgot my birthday! (Shelly walks over to Robert to try and comfort him but Robert shrugs her off) Shelly: I know, why don’t we all go a shop now and we can buy you a present? Robert: Because its Sunday and all the shops are closed. Shelly: So it is, I forgot what day it was. Robert: (angrily) I noticed! Colin: We’re really sorry Rob, you know how busy we’ve both been. (Mary enters, having heard the noise) Mary: What are you shouting about?! Robert: Don’t tell me you forgot too! Mary: Forgot what? Robert: It’s my birthday! Mary: Is it? I thought it was the 8th today? Not the 9th. Robert: Well it’s the 9th, and you all forgot! Mary: Oh, sorry Rob, I didn’t realise. Robert: Don’t expect me to remember any of your birthdays! (small awkward silence) Colin: I know we’ll take you out to the pub for a Sunday lunch, and I’ll buy your present tomorrow. Robert: (sulkily) Fine. (Later that morning the doorbell rings and Mary goes to answer it) Mary: (shocked) Hi Uncle Craig! Craig: (Australian accent) Hello Mary, how are ya? Mary: I’m fine thanks! (louder) Muuuuum uncle Craig’s here from Australia! (Shelly comes to the door) Shelly: Who? I thought you said Craig! (laughs to herself) Craig: (smiling) She did. Shelly: (shocked) Oh my god, Craig! Wh†¦ Wh†¦ Why are you here? Craig: Well for Roberts birthday of course! Where is he? Shelly: He’s in his room. But he’s going to be so pleased to see you! Have you come all this way just to see Robert on his birthday? Craig: That’s right! I thought I’d surprise you all. Mary: Well you’ve definitely done that! Shelly: Well come in, have a drink, make yourself at home. (They all go into the living room to join Colin) Colin: Hello Craig, how are you? This is certainly a surprise! Craig: I’m doing great thanks, how ’bout you Colin? Colin: Not bad. Not bad. Mary: I’ll go and fetch Rob. . (Mary leaves to get Robert) Craig: So what present did you get Rob? Shelly: (sheepishly) Oh, we haven’t got it yet. Colin: Were getting it tomorrow though. Craig: Oh alright then, I hope he likes the present I got him! Shelly: I’m sure that he will. (Mary and Robert come back downstairs) Robert: (very excitedly) Hi uncle Craig! (gives him a hug) what are you doing here? Craig: For your birthday of course! Did you forget? (laughs) Robert: (sarcastically) I didn’t, but I know somebody who did. Craig: What do you mean? Robert: Didn’t they tell you? They forgot that it was my birthday today! Craig: (looks at Colin in surprise) Really? That’s terrible! Colin: We lost track of what day it was. Craig: I’m sure he won’t mind if you get a present tomorrow then. Will you Robert? Robert: No, I suppose not. Craig: Now, do you want to see what I got you? (Robert suddenly seems more excited again) Robert: oooh yes please! (Craig hands Robert a long wrapped up present, which Robert begins to unwrap) Robert: Wow! A didgeridoo! Thanks Craig, that’s amazing! Craig: Glad that you like it Rob.