Please, notice that you could be asked to change sentences 2, 3, 4 and 9 beginning with "It is believed that...." , in this case simply add the words after "that":
"It is thought that Jimi Hendrix was a genius"
"It is believed that King Arthur lived...."
"It is expected that Rodrigo Rato will resign..."
1. I went to the hairdresser and he cut my hair.
I had my hair cut (at the hairdresser's)
2. People thought that Jimmi Hendrix was a genius.
Jimi Hendrix was thought to be a genius
3. People believe King Arthur lived in the 9th century.
King Arthur is believe to have lived in the 9th century
4. People expect that Rodrigo Rato will resign due to the BBVA scandal.
Rodrigo Rato is expected to resign due to the BBVA scandal
5. A professional photographer will take all my wedding photographs.
I will have my wedding photographs taken (by a professional photographer)
6. They told Peter not to play such loud music.
Peter was told not to play such loud music
7. Everybody should read this article carefully.
This article should be read carefully
8. Bob sold the house in the hill to Mr Brown.
The house in the hill was sold to Mr Brown by Bob
9. People believe that the Loch Ness Monster really existed.
The Loch Ness monster is believed to have really existed
10. They sacked Mary last week.
Mary was sacked last week
martes, 24 de marzo de 2009
Realtive clauses rephrasing answers
1. Helen, who had a car accident,has just arrived
2. They've sold the grocery where I used to go shopping
3. My sister, whose children love watching films, has won a DVD player
4. There's the lady whose dog was killed
5. I have a friend who is a wonderful skater
6. The boy, who broke the window, ran away. (també podria ser sense commes)
7. Scrabble, which I play every weekend, is a very enjoyable game.
8. Camilo José Cela ,who wrote Viaje a La Alcarria, died a few months ago
9. Vielha, where I usually spend my summer holidays, is a nice village in the Pyrenees
10. He received the parcel which he was waiting for.
2. They've sold the grocery where I used to go shopping
3. My sister, whose children love watching films, has won a DVD player
4. There's the lady whose dog was killed
5. I have a friend who is a wonderful skater
6. The boy, who broke the window, ran away. (també podria ser sense commes)
7. Scrabble, which I play every weekend, is a very enjoyable game.
8. Camilo José Cela ,who wrote Viaje a La Alcarria, died a few months ago
9. Vielha, where I usually spend my summer holidays, is a nice village in the Pyrenees
10. He received the parcel which he was waiting for.
relatives clauses rephrasing
I will post the answers shortly. Make the two sentences one so that the meaning doesn't change
1. Helen has just arrived. She had a car accident.
2. They've sold the grocery. I used to go shopping there.
3. My sister has won a DVD player. Her children love watching films.
4. There's the lady. Her dog was killed.
5. I have a friend. He's a wonderful skater.
6. The boy broke the window. He ran away.
7. Scrabble is a very enjoyable game. I play Scrabble every weekend.
8. Camilo José Cela died a few months ago. He wrote Viaje a La Alcarria.
9. Vielha is a nice village in the Pyrenees. I usually spend my summer holidays there.
10. He received the parcel. He was waiting for it.
1. Helen has just arrived. She had a car accident.
2. They've sold the grocery. I used to go shopping there.
3. My sister has won a DVD player. Her children love watching films.
4. There's the lady. Her dog was killed.
5. I have a friend. He's a wonderful skater.
6. The boy broke the window. He ran away.
7. Scrabble is a very enjoyable game. I play Scrabble every weekend.
8. Camilo José Cela died a few months ago. He wrote Viaje a La Alcarria.
9. Vielha is a nice village in the Pyrenees. I usually spend my summer holidays there.
10. He received the parcel. He was waiting for it.
Passive rephrasing
I will post the answers shortly.
1. I went to the hairdresser and he cut my hair.
I had...........
2. People thought that Jimmi Hendrix was a genius.
Jimi Hendrix..........
3. People believe King Arthur lived in the 9th century.
King Arthur ....................
4. People expect that Rodrigo Rato will resign due to the BBVA scandal.
Rodrigo rato .......................
5. A professional photographer will take all my wedding photographs.
I will have ...................
6. They told Peter not to play such loud music.
Peter ....................
7. Everybody should read this article carefully.
This article ...................
8. Bob sold the house in the hill to Mr Brown.
The house ...................
9. People believe that the Loch Ness Monster really existed.
The Loch Ness monster....................
10. They sacked Mary last week.
Mary ..............................
1. I went to the hairdresser and he cut my hair.
I had...........
2. People thought that Jimmi Hendrix was a genius.
Jimi Hendrix..........
3. People believe King Arthur lived in the 9th century.
King Arthur ....................
4. People expect that Rodrigo Rato will resign due to the BBVA scandal.
Rodrigo rato .......................
5. A professional photographer will take all my wedding photographs.
I will have ...................
6. They told Peter not to play such loud music.
Peter ....................
7. Everybody should read this article carefully.
This article ...................
8. Bob sold the house in the hill to Mr Brown.
The house ...................
9. People believe that the Loch Ness Monster really existed.
The Loch Ness monster....................
10. They sacked Mary last week.
Mary ..............................
viernes, 20 de marzo de 2009
The final "-s" sound - phonetics
mark the odd one out:
18. worms works maths cats
19. strings lives pencils lacks
20. wolves tips papers jeans
21. wounds laughs clowns loves
22. packs groups films notes
23. changes sandwiches edges lines
18. worms works maths cats
19. strings lives pencils lacks
20. wolves tips papers jeans
21. wounds laughs clowns loves
22. packs groups films notes
23. changes sandwiches edges lines
domingo, 15 de marzo de 2009
Answers
Answers to the previous post:
1. if
2. system
3. cinema
4. picture
5. secret
6. chinese
7. speak
8. cream
9. through
10. lose
11. fruit
12. new
13. school
14. fun
15. under
16. star
17. ask
1. if
2. system
3. cinema
4. picture
5. secret
6. chinese
7. speak
8. cream
9. through
10. lose
11. fruit
12. new
13. school
14. fun
15. under
16. star
17. ask
viernes, 13 de marzo de 2009
Phonetics exercises
Find the odd word, I'll post the answers shortly, have a nice weekend.
1 european teach if wheel
2 system machine ski key
3 team these evening cinema
4 litre metre picture peach
5 Tim will secret miss
6 big chinese fifty business
7 speak swim busy six
8 cream kitchen ticket dinner
9 through put could woman
10 would looking full lose
11 could fruit cookery push
12 foot sugar new pull
13 book cook good school
14 fun dance car fast
15 garden under carpet large
16 bus cup month star
17 luck son ask colour
1 european teach if wheel
2 system machine ski key
3 team these evening cinema
4 litre metre picture peach
5 Tim will secret miss
6 big chinese fifty business
7 speak swim busy six
8 cream kitchen ticket dinner
9 through put could woman
10 would looking full lose
11 could fruit cookery push
12 foot sugar new pull
13 book cook good school
14 fun dance car fast
15 garden under carpet large
16 bus cup month star
17 luck son ask colour
jueves, 5 de marzo de 2009
High School Friends script
Hello 3esoD, here you have the script of the play we are working on. Print your copy out and bring it to school, please. We are going to use it every Thursday until the end of this month.
High School Friends
SCENE 1 (ENTRANCE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL*. MORNING)
It’s the first day of classes after summer. Mike and Lora speak cheerfully at the doors of
the high school*.
MIKE: My summer was great! Beach, sun, pretty girls...
LORA: Come on, Mike! You spent the whole summer at your grandmother’s house...
MIKE: That’s not true...
Peter arrives.
PETER: Hi, Lora; hi, Mike... What about your summer?
LORA (she seems to be really interested in Peter): It’s the same every year. I spent the days reading, listening to music, playing my guitar...
MIKE (repeats the same story): My summer was great! Beach, sun, pretty girls...
PETER: Mike, come on! Your mother told me you spent the whole summer at your grandmother’s house...
MIKE: Oh, I see...
PETER: Well, my summer wasn’t that amazing*, either*. I spent the days playing rugby, going to the gym and helping my mother.
LORA: You could have given me a call. I was at home all the time, we could have gone out together some days...
PETER: Well, I thought you were busy*... By the way, do you know that this year there’s a new girl, a new student?
MIKE (interested): A new girl? Is she pretty?
PETER (he doesn’t seem as interested in the new girl as Mike): Well, a friend told me she was really beautiful.
LORA (annoyed and ironic): Don’t tell me...
MIKE (more and more interested): Don’t tell me! She’ll fall in love with me! You’ll see...
PETER (joking): Maybe* she’ll fall in love with me...
LORA (gives Peter a dirty look): Maybe *she won’t like either* one of you!
The literature teacher, Miss Skinner, arrives. She greets* the students.
MISS SKINNER: Good morning, everyone, did you enjoy* your summer?
MIKE: My summer was great, beach... (before finishing the sentence, his friends look at him sceptically). O.K., O.K., I spent the summer at my grandmother’s house...
The school bell rings, we hear the voice of Mr. Joseph, the headmaster*.
OFF MR. JOSEPH: Welcome to the new school year, boys and girls, go to your classrooms.
MISS SKINNER (looks at her watch): You have two minutes. Mike, throw away* your chewing-gum (he throws the chewing-gum, bothered); Peter, your cap (Peter wears the cap sideways, the teacher puts it on properly and, finally, she takes it off); Lora (Miss Skinner looks at Lora’s look: loose trousers and pierced nose; the teacher seems resigned), anyway, Lora...
Miss Skinner opens the doors of the school and enters. The students look at the doors sadly, walking through them means the end of the summer.
MISS SKINNER: Come on, everyone.
SCENE 2. (CLASSROOM. MORNING)
Miss Skinner gives the lesson. Lora looks at Peter furtively, while he writes. When the teacher turns round, Lora draws Peter’s attention to herself.
LORA: Pssst. Where is Mike?
PETER: He is with the new student, I think...
LORA: Really?
MISS SKINNER (annoyed): Silence, please... Peter, come to the blackboard*!
PETER (he remains seated, scared): No, no...
The headmaster* enters the classroom.
MR. JOSEPH: Miss Skinner, can I have a few words with the students, please?
PROFESORA: Of course*. Children, I’m leaving you with the headmaster (she leaves the classroom).
Mr Joseph and Miss Skinner barely look at each other this time.
MR. JOSEPH: Boys, girls, welcome to the new school year... As you know, our school is celebrating its twentieth anniversary*.
LORA (surprised): The twentieth?
MR. JOSEPH: Yes, and we are going to publish a magazine about our school to celebrate the anniversary*.
LORA (ironic): Amazing*... What an idea!
PETER (really interested in the magazine): A magazine? Great! I want to write an article!
MR. JOSEPH: Sure! Every student must write an article or a report. You must make work groups and choose a topic*. Obviously, this topic* has to be related to the high school’s anniversary*.
LORA (sings under her breath, making fun of the situation): Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...
PETER: Don’t be silly, Lora. It might be fun! You and I can work together, and Mike...
LORA (encouraged by the idea of working with Peter): You and I in the same group? Well, all right, it might be fun...
MR. JOSEPH (he doesn’t realize Lora’s real interest): Lora, I love your enthusiasm*...
Lora smiles.
DIRECTOR: Now, I want to introduce a new student to you. I hope you will be nice to her...
The director opens the door and we see Nicole, a sweet girl.
PETER (looks at her, amazed): Of course* I will be nice...
LORA (curt): I’ll try...
Nicole looks at her new classmates shyly; the bell announces the end of the class. Lora
and Peter leave the classroom; the headmaster and Nicole follow them at a certain
distance.
SCENE 3. (ENTRANCE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. AFTERNOON)
Lora and Peter are seated outside of the high school, some papers are scattered on the ground. They seem concentrated on their project.
LORA: Come on, Peter, it’s not a good idea!
PETER: Of course* it is...
LORA: It’s boring. A magazine can’t be boring.
They are quiet again, thinking. Peter shakes his head while he listens to his mp3. Lora
draws circles on the ground while she hopes to get inspired.
PETER (insists): My idea’s not so bad.
LORA: Peter, I am not going to write about the school swimming team’s costumes*. Is that clear?
Mike and Nicole arrive.
MIKE: Hi, what are you doing?
Peter looks at Nicole open-mouthed, Lora touches his chin and closes his mouth.
LORA (bothered): What is she doing here?
MIKE: She wants to write the article with us. It’s great, isn’t it?
PETER: Yes!
LORA: No!
MIKE: Lora, don’t be nasty*!
PETER: Yes, Lora. Don’t be nasty*!
LORA (she accepts, annoyed): All right, all right... Nicole, welcome to the group. I’m Lora and I’m pleased to meet you.
NICOLE: Hello, Lora, nice to meet you too.
The girls and the boys sit on the ground and begin thinking about the topic for the magazine article. All of them are really concentrated on their task* trying to get inspired. Suddenly* Lora smiles, she has had an idea.
NICOLE: I’ve got it! Maybe... Yes, it’s a good idea! We can write a report about what the teachers were like twenty years ago.
PETER: What the teachers were like twenty years ago? Yeah...! That’s a good idea...
MIKE: Yes, I like it (he and the others look at Lora). Lora, what do you say?
LORA: Well... The truth is that... (it’s hard for her to admit that Nicole has had a good idea) It’s a great idea! We will write the best report in the school.
Nicole is glad to have had such a good idea.
NICOLE: Great!
PETER: Well. Let’s go to distribute our tasks*. Nicole and I will be responsible for the graphic documentation. Lora, you and Mike will be responsible for the contents.
MIKE (he’d rather work with Nicole): But...
LORA (she dislikes the distribution, as well): But...
PETER: What’s the matter*? You’re really good at writing, Lora.
LORA (proud*of herself): Yes, I know.
PETER: See you tomorrow at the same time...
LORA (she accepts reluctantly): All right, see you.
MIKE: Bye...
NICOLE: Goodbye...
The students gather their things and leave.
SCENE 4. (CLASSROOM. MORNING)
Lora and Mike are waiting for their classmates, they look at their watches several times. They seem to be waiting for a long time.
MIKE: Why are they so late?
Lora shrugs her shoulders.
MIKE: Do you think Peter likes Nicole?
LORA ( vehemently): Definitely not.
MIKE: I hope you’re right. I think there’s a special feeling between Nicole and I. She is such an intelligent girl. She is so nice. Well, I, when I see her...
Lora looks at Mike bothered, she is worried about where Peter is.
LORA: Mike... shut up*!
Peter and Nicole enter the classroom. They seem to be excited, as if they had shocking news. Peter takes an 8mm movie* projector.
LORA: At last!
MIKE: You’re late, guys*.
PETER: It’s worth the wait. We’ve made made a big discovery.
NICOLE: You can’t imagine what it is. It’s...
LORA (she tries to hide her impatience): Are you going to tell us that?
PETER (he prepares the projector): Mike, turn off* the light.
MIKE (he turns off the light): But... What’s going on*?
All of them are sat watching the movie*. We listen to the sound of the projector and we see its flicker. Peter and Nicole improvise a screen, Lora and Mike look at that impatiently.
PETER: The most exciting movie* you’ve ever seen...
NICOLE: Yes. I’m going to keep watch and make sure nobody comes in (she exits).
MIKE (follows her): I’ll come with you.
LORA: I can’t see anything.
PETER (checks the projector): Wait a minute, let me see...
Lora and Mike check the projector.
LORA: This projector is really old, are you sure that it works?
PETER: Yes, I am. Just wait…
LORA: Now...
PETER: The movie is starting…
At this moment Miss Skinner and the headmaster enter (they are dressed in a parodic way, the spectator must understand they are playing themselves twenty years ago). Miss Skinner and the headmaster hold a poster where we can read OAKS BRITISH SCHOOL 1988. We see the teachers as graduates, it is obvious that they were a couple* then.
PETER: Miss Skinner and the headmaster were a couple* twenty years ago!
LORA: Wow! Amazing*!
The movie ends. Peter turns on the light and begins to dismantle the projector.
PETER: Incredible!
LORA: Where did you find the movie?
PETER: It was with the school’s historical files*. They studied here, you know... We
were looking for the information to write the report when suddenly*...
LORA: I’m tripping.
Nicole and Mike have returned.
MIKE: So, they were a couple*... And they’re both single* now...
NICOLE: Maybe Miss Skinner was the love of the headmaster’s life. He always seems
so sad...
PETER: What are you talking about? That happened twenty years ago!
LORA: Well, love defies time...
MIKE (tries to stop his friends’ delusions): Well, I think the headmaster doesn’t seem sad at all...
Mike and Peter look at each other. They think Lora and Nicole are wrong.
LORA: I have an idea...
PETER: Lora, no...
LORA: Yes! We can try to get them together again!
MIKE AND PETER: Noooo!
NICOLE: Yes!
MIKE: Have you gone mad*?!
PETER: If your idea doesn’t work, we might be expelled* from school.
LORA: Yes, but... What if it works?
Lora and Nicole look at the horizon, they imagine a splendid future.
NICOLE: That’s it! People are much more optimistic when they fall in love.
LORA: Imagine a year without homework, without being punished* with easy exams...
NICOLE: A great year! All of us will get good marks!
LORA: We’ll be able to choose whatever* University we want...
PETER (increasingly convinced): All right, all right. It’s a deal*!
LORA: Great!
Miss Skinner arrives and sits on her desk.
MISS SKINNER: Good morning, everyone.
Lora and Peter look at each other with a knowing smile.
LORA: Good morning...
MISS SKINNER: Well, before starting...
The headmaster enters the class with a book, he hands it to Miss Skinner.
HEADMASTER: You forgot your book, Miss Skinner.
MISS SKINNER (merely paying attention to the headmaster): Oh, thanks, Joseph.
The headmaster leaves. Miss Skinner writes some names and dates on the blackboard* turning her back on the students. Lora gestures for Peter to tell him that they must do something. Lora stands up and goes to the window where there’s a plant, then, she pulls up a flower and puts it on Miss Skinner’s book, along with a note she has written quickly. Peter, nervous, gestures for Lora to hurry up, he is afraid of being discovered.
Miss Skinner finishes writing on the blackboard* and comes back to her desk. When she sees the flower, she gets a bit puzzled, and then she sees the note and reads it in a low voice.
MISS SKINNER: A flower for the most beautiful flower...
Lora and Peter watch the situation really interested in it. Miss Skinner puts the flower and the note in her bag, she looks at the students and smiles, the kids sigh relieved.
A bell rings announcing the end of the class, Miss Skinner and the students stand up, the teacher leaves the classroom.
Peter and Lora are shaking hands when, suddenly, they are surprised by the headmaster,who enters and greets* them.
HEADMASTER: Hello, you two.
LORA: Good morning, Mr Joseph.
PETER: You look especially smart* today...
HEADMASTER (confused): Well, thanks...
LORA: Yes. Miss Skinner is right.
HEADMASTER (surprised): Miss Skinner?
LORA (playing down the importance of her comment): Well, she always remarks that you are such a good-looking* man...
HEADMASTER (glad): Miss Skinner says that?
PETER (allied with Lora): Yes, yes, she always says that...
HEADMASTER (stunned): Well...
LORA: Well, we have to leave, Mr Joseph.
PETER: Have a nice day, Mr. Joseph...
HEADMASTER: Thanks, the same to you.
The headmaster stays in the classroom whistling; when Miss Skinner enters, she is a bit shy about meeting the headmaster.
MISS SKINNER (pointing at her desk): I forgot my book again...
HEADMASTER: I see...
Miss Skinner and the headmaster look at each other for a moment; meanwhile, Miss Skinner lightly touches the flower that she has put on her lapel.
HEADMASTER: A beautiful flower...
MISS SKINNER: Yes...
Miss Skinner takes her book and goes away. The headmaster remains standing, while he looks at the door and smiles. We can see Miss Skinner through the window.
Lora and Peter are hidden behind the door; satisfied, they shake hands again. When the headmaster hears the snap, he realizes the students are still there, although he doesn’t suspect anything.
HEADMASTER: Is everything all right?
PETER Y LORA (at the same time, afraid of being discovered): Yes, yes...
SCENE 5. (CLASSROOM. THE NEXT DAY)
Nicole enters with Peter, who tells her what happened the previous day.
PETER: It was great. Miss Skinner looked all fascinated at the headmaster (he mimics
Miss Skinner’s look), then, suddenly, the headmaster began to whistle* (he whistles the
same song the headmaster whistled before).
NICOLE: Did the headmaster whistle? Well, it means he is really happy with what is happening.
PETER: Yes, and Miss Skinner seemed to be pleased, as well. Everything is going perfectly...
Nicole is laughing, amused by Peter’s comments when Lora and Mike arrive. Lora and Mike don’t seem happy about their friends’ good feeling.
LORA (she clears her throat): Ahem, ahem...
PETER (unaware of Lora’s jealousy): I was telling Nicole what happened yesterday...
MIKE: Lora told me that too.
NICOLE (resolute): O.K., everybody... It’s time to carry out Plan B.
MIKE: Plan B?
(They look at Nicole curiously)
NICOLE: A romantic dinner...
MIKE: Maybe it’s a bit risky*..
PETER: Yes...
LORA: Of course not! It’s a perfect plan!
Peter and Mike look at each other, realizing they have already got into trouble.
MIKE: But...
PETER: But...
LORA: But what?
NICOLE: The headmaster will think Miss Skinner has invited him.
LORA (encouraged by the idea): And Miss Skinner will think that the headmaster has
invited her.
PETER (with disapproval): Oh, my God!
MIKE: Where is the dinner supposed to take place?
LORA: Here!
NICOLE: We’ll prepare it!
MIKE: It’s not a bad idea...
PETER: Don’t let them persuade* you, Mike. It’s not a good idea...
LORA: Come on, boys, we need your help…
PETER (convinced by the girls): I don’t know why I listen to you…
NICOLE (running off): I’m going to buy candles* for the dinner!
MIKE (as usual, he follows Nicole): Wait, I’ll help you pick* the colour of the
candles*.
PETER: But... Mike, we haven’t said yes yet! Mike, wait...
LORA: Come on, Peter... We could get the invitations ready...
PETER: Invitations?
LORA (she takes some cards and two pens from his bag): Yes, you write Miss
Skinner’s invitation and I’ll write the other one.
PETER (he shakes his head, although in the end he accepts): All right...
Lora and Peter sit and concentrate on what they are going to write. While they write, they look at each other several times furtively. It’s obvious that they feel attracted to each other.
LORA (reads her card aloud): Margaret, I have something important to tell you. See you tonight at the high school.
PETER (reads his note): Headmaster, I have something important to tell you. See you tonight at the high school.
LORA: Headmaster?
PETER (while he crosses out this word and writes): You are right. Mr Joseph is better.
LORA: Maybe you could write ‘darling’...
PETER: ‘Joseph’ will be enough...
They insert the cards in two envelopes and leave the classroom. Lora bursts out laughing.
PETER (while he leaves): Lora, you are crazier than I thought.
LORA: Sure.
The classroom is empty for a moment.
SCENE 6 (CLASSROOM. AFTERNOON)
The headmaster enters and begins to write on the blackboard*. Some seconds later,
Peter enters.
PETER (talks to the headmaster as he puts the card on the headmaster’s pocket):
Hello, Mr Joseph. Are you preparing tomorrow’s lesson?
HEADMASTER: Yes...
PETER: You’re always such a good teacher…
HEADMASTER (proud of himself): Well... Thanks, Peter.
PETER (afraid of being discovered): I have to leave, see you tomorrow...
Peter leaves. Through the window we see Miss Skinner, who passes Lora. Lora puts the invitation in Miss Skinner’s bag furtively.
LORA (while she leaves): Have a nice day, Miss Skinner.
MISS SKINNER (unaware of the situation): Have a nice day, Lora.
The headmaster puts his hand in his pocket and finds the invitation, at the same time that Miss Skinner also finds her card, both of them read the notes.
HEADMASTER: Tonight? Well...
The headmaster combs his hair. When we see Miss Skinner through the door, she is still
reading her card. Miss Skinner sees the headmaster and hides the card.
MISS SKINNER: Hello...
HEADMASTER: (shy, he doesn’t know what to say): Too much work?
MISS SKINNER: Yes...
HEADMASTER: Well, see you tonight...
MISS SKINNER (a little embarrassed): Yes...
Miss Skinner leaves, the headmaster follows her with his eyes, he seems to be glad.
HEADMASTER: Great!
SCENE 7. (CLASSROOM. NIGHT)
Lora and Peter are preparing the classroom for the dinner. They turn Miss Skinner’s desk into a romantic table, where they lay a candelabra and a flower. Next to the table, they put an old record player.
LORA: Oh, come on! Spanish omelette?
PETER: What’s the matter? My grandmother taught me to cook it, she is Spanish...
LORA: You could have cooked soufflé or vichyssoise...
PETER: Why don’t you cook it yourself?! If I cook..., Spanish omelette and sandwiches.
LORA: Me? Cooking? Are you kidding*?
PETER: Where are Mike and Nicole?
LORA: Nicole is upstairs preparing the desserts...
PETER: Desserts?
LORA: Sure... We must be as romantic as possible.
PETER: And what about Mike?
LORA: He is looking out for the teachers …
MIKE (voice off): They’re coming, they’re coming...
LORA (as she leaves the classroom): Hurry up, Peter! They are here!
Peter finishes decorating the table, he takes a record in his hand. When he realizes the headmaster has arrived there’s no time for him to leave, so he hides under the table.
The headmaster enters. He looks at the classroom surprised, then he looks at his watch and combs his hair again. A few seconds later, Miss Skinner arrives. She is surprised, as well. The teachers look at each other spellbound.
MISS SKINNER: Well...
HEADMASTER: Well...
MISS SKINNER: An excellent dinner...
HEADMASTER: Sure... (surprised by the menu). It’s really... youthful? Sandwiches
and Spanish omelette...
MISS SKINNER: It’s so special... The same menu we had for dinner twenty years ago,
after the high school dance...
HEADMASTER: That’s true, it’s the same menu...
While teachers talk we see Peter going out very stealthily. Suddenly, Miss Skinner’s fork falls to the floor. Shocked, Peter hits the fork by accident and it shoots out of there. The teachers look astonished at the path of the fork; finally, the headmaster stands up and picks it up. While he is doing this, Lora gives Peter a champagne bottle and he puts it on the table. When Miss Skinner and the headmaster sit down again, they don’t understand how the bottle got there.
MISS SKINNER (she thinks the headmaster has planned everything). Wow...
Everything is so magical...
HEADMASTER (he thinks Miss Skinner has planned everything): Well, maybe it’s your magic eyes...
Peter tries to escape again, we see his hand under the table. When Peter tries to escape, he touches Miss Skinner’s leg unintentionally.
MISS SKINNER (looks at the headmaster surprised): Joseph!
HEADMASTER (he doesn’t understand her behaviour): What?
PROFESSORA: Do you always have to go so fast?
HEADMASTER (he doesn’t understand what is happening): Well, it was just a compliment, because you have really beautiful eyes...
MISS SKINNER (she calms down): The compliment was thoughtful, but, please, don’t touch my leg again...
HEADMASTER (puzzled): Your leg? Well, I may have touched it by accident...
MISS SKINNER: O.K., O.K., I’ll pour the champagne...
She stands up to pour the champagne while the headmaster looks at her seductively.
Then Peter escapes, moving Miss Skinner’s chair. When Miss Skinner goes to sit she
falls down. The headmaster comes to her aid and Peter takes advantage of the situation
to leave the class. Worried, Lora watches the situation through the window.
LORA (in a low voice): Oh, no...
HEADMASTER: Are you O.K.?
MISS SKINNER (annoyed): I would be better if you hadn’t moved my chair...
HEADMASTER: Me?
MISS SKINNER: Please, Joseph, that’s enough! First, you touch my leg, after that, you move my chair... What is your idea of a romantic dinner? What is your next plan? To throw me out of the window?
HEADMASTER: Please, calm down! Besides, I didn’t move your chair.
MISS SKINNER: You are always so childish*!
HEADMASTER: You are always so melodramatic!
MISS SKINNER AND HEADMASTER (they speak at the same time): I don’t know why I accepted your dinner invitation! ( Quiet, they look at each other confused) What? No! You invited me! But...
Peter and Lora watch what is happening through the window, realizing they are in trouble, they run away.
MISS SKINNER: Wait a minute! Didn’t you invite me?
HEADMASTER: No... And you?
MISS SKINNER: Off course not. But... Then... How do you explain this? (she shows her invitation card to the headmaster) Didn’t you write this card?
HEADMASTER (shows her his card): I didn’t... Then...
MISS SKINNER AND HEADMASTER (they realize what has happened): The
students!
HEADMASTER: They will get what’s coming to them. But, first..., we must discover
who has done it.
MISS SKINNER: We have their handwriting, we have evidence...
HEADMASTER (he smiles maliciously): They will pay for it.
SCENE 8 (CLASSROOM. MORNING)
The headmaster is looking at the invitation card he was sent. He taps on the desk while
he stares at Lora and Peter. Lora looks away.
HEADMASTER: As you know, I have the guilty person’s handwriting* and... if this person doesn’t confess, the whole* class will be punished* so it will be his fault.
LORA: Mr Joseph, I’m so sorry, but...
HEADMASTER (he shows her the invitation card): So, is it your handwriting*?
LORA: Well, the truth is that...
HEADMASTER: Please... Just answer yes or no...
LORA: Yes...
HEADMASTER: Right. You are expelled* from high school. (ironic) I suppose you are proud*of yourself...
LORA: Oh, no! Please, let me explain... I... Well, the truth is that... You and Miss Skinner seemed to be so sad. And we saw that movie...
HEADMASTER: We? Are there more students involved in this affair*?
LORA: No, no, it is all my fault...
PETER: That’s not true, I’m also responsible for all that mess.
HEADMASTER (confused): You?
LORA (she tries to exonerate him): But, I was the one who persuaded* you...
Nicole arrives, she also takes her responsibility.
NICOLE: In fact, I agreed with Lora and we both persuaded Peter and Mike.
PETER: You seemed so happy in that movie...
HEADMASTER: What movie?
LORA: We found that with the school’s historical files*… It was your graduation ceremony...
HEADMASTER (remembers his past): Oh, my God! That movie... (he gets serious again) Well, if all of you are responsible for the facts, I cannot expel four students, it would be too much. However, I will think about a punishment.
The bell rings.
SCENE 9. (ENTRANCE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. MORNING)
Lora, Peter and Nicole are cleaning the windows and the walls of the high school, it seems that they have been cleaning for hours.
…….
…….
THE END
GLOSSARY
Affair: a love relationship.
Amazing: incredible.
Anniversary: the celebration of the day on which an important event happened in a
previous year.
Are you kidding?: are you joking?
Blackboard: dark surface on a wall on which a teacher writes with chalk.
Busy: having too many things to do.
Candle: piece of wax with a string in the middle that produces light.
Childish: typical of children.
Costume: clothes you put on for a special purpose.
Couple: two people involved in a love relationship.
Either: a choice between two possibilities.
Enjoy: like.
Enthusiasm: a feeling of strong interest and happiness in regard to something.
Expelled: forced to leave.
Files: stored information.
Get rid of: remove someone or something.
Good-looking: handsome.
Greet: welcome someone.
Guys: boys.
Handwriting: writing with a pen or a pencil.
Headmaster: a male head teacher.
High school: secondary school.
It’s a deal: it’s an agreed.
Mad: crazy.
Maybe: perhaps.
Movie: film.
Nasty: bad or very unpleasant.
Of course: naturally.
Persuade: convince.
Pick: get.
Proud: feeling satisfied with yourself or with someone else.
Punished: made to pay for something wrong you have done.
Risky: dangerous.
Shut up: to stop talking or to make (someone) do this.
Single: not married.
Smart: stylish.
Suddenly: quickly and unexpectedly.
Task: piece of work to be done.
Throw away: get rid of something.
Topic: theme.
Turn off: switch off.
Whatever: anything or everything.
What’s going on?: what is happening?.
What’s the matter?: what is the problem?.
Whistle: to make a sound with your lips.
Whole: everything.
High School Friends
SCENE 1 (ENTRANCE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL*. MORNING)
It’s the first day of classes after summer. Mike and Lora speak cheerfully at the doors of
the high school*.
MIKE: My summer was great! Beach, sun, pretty girls...
LORA: Come on, Mike! You spent the whole summer at your grandmother’s house...
MIKE: That’s not true...
Peter arrives.
PETER: Hi, Lora; hi, Mike... What about your summer?
LORA (she seems to be really interested in Peter): It’s the same every year. I spent the days reading, listening to music, playing my guitar...
MIKE (repeats the same story): My summer was great! Beach, sun, pretty girls...
PETER: Mike, come on! Your mother told me you spent the whole summer at your grandmother’s house...
MIKE: Oh, I see...
PETER: Well, my summer wasn’t that amazing*, either*. I spent the days playing rugby, going to the gym and helping my mother.
LORA: You could have given me a call. I was at home all the time, we could have gone out together some days...
PETER: Well, I thought you were busy*... By the way, do you know that this year there’s a new girl, a new student?
MIKE (interested): A new girl? Is she pretty?
PETER (he doesn’t seem as interested in the new girl as Mike): Well, a friend told me she was really beautiful.
LORA (annoyed and ironic): Don’t tell me...
MIKE (more and more interested): Don’t tell me! She’ll fall in love with me! You’ll see...
PETER (joking): Maybe* she’ll fall in love with me...
LORA (gives Peter a dirty look): Maybe *she won’t like either* one of you!
The literature teacher, Miss Skinner, arrives. She greets* the students.
MISS SKINNER: Good morning, everyone, did you enjoy* your summer?
MIKE: My summer was great, beach... (before finishing the sentence, his friends look at him sceptically). O.K., O.K., I spent the summer at my grandmother’s house...
The school bell rings, we hear the voice of Mr. Joseph, the headmaster*.
OFF MR. JOSEPH: Welcome to the new school year, boys and girls, go to your classrooms.
MISS SKINNER (looks at her watch): You have two minutes. Mike, throw away* your chewing-gum (he throws the chewing-gum, bothered); Peter, your cap (Peter wears the cap sideways, the teacher puts it on properly and, finally, she takes it off); Lora (Miss Skinner looks at Lora’s look: loose trousers and pierced nose; the teacher seems resigned), anyway, Lora...
Miss Skinner opens the doors of the school and enters. The students look at the doors sadly, walking through them means the end of the summer.
MISS SKINNER: Come on, everyone.
SCENE 2. (CLASSROOM. MORNING)
Miss Skinner gives the lesson. Lora looks at Peter furtively, while he writes. When the teacher turns round, Lora draws Peter’s attention to herself.
LORA: Pssst. Where is Mike?
PETER: He is with the new student, I think...
LORA: Really?
MISS SKINNER (annoyed): Silence, please... Peter, come to the blackboard*!
PETER (he remains seated, scared): No, no...
The headmaster* enters the classroom.
MR. JOSEPH: Miss Skinner, can I have a few words with the students, please?
PROFESORA: Of course*. Children, I’m leaving you with the headmaster (she leaves the classroom).
Mr Joseph and Miss Skinner barely look at each other this time.
MR. JOSEPH: Boys, girls, welcome to the new school year... As you know, our school is celebrating its twentieth anniversary*.
LORA (surprised): The twentieth?
MR. JOSEPH: Yes, and we are going to publish a magazine about our school to celebrate the anniversary*.
LORA (ironic): Amazing*... What an idea!
PETER (really interested in the magazine): A magazine? Great! I want to write an article!
MR. JOSEPH: Sure! Every student must write an article or a report. You must make work groups and choose a topic*. Obviously, this topic* has to be related to the high school’s anniversary*.
LORA (sings under her breath, making fun of the situation): Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...
PETER: Don’t be silly, Lora. It might be fun! You and I can work together, and Mike...
LORA (encouraged by the idea of working with Peter): You and I in the same group? Well, all right, it might be fun...
MR. JOSEPH (he doesn’t realize Lora’s real interest): Lora, I love your enthusiasm*...
Lora smiles.
DIRECTOR: Now, I want to introduce a new student to you. I hope you will be nice to her...
The director opens the door and we see Nicole, a sweet girl.
PETER (looks at her, amazed): Of course* I will be nice...
LORA (curt): I’ll try...
Nicole looks at her new classmates shyly; the bell announces the end of the class. Lora
and Peter leave the classroom; the headmaster and Nicole follow them at a certain
distance.
SCENE 3. (ENTRANCE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. AFTERNOON)
Lora and Peter are seated outside of the high school, some papers are scattered on the ground. They seem concentrated on their project.
LORA: Come on, Peter, it’s not a good idea!
PETER: Of course* it is...
LORA: It’s boring. A magazine can’t be boring.
They are quiet again, thinking. Peter shakes his head while he listens to his mp3. Lora
draws circles on the ground while she hopes to get inspired.
PETER (insists): My idea’s not so bad.
LORA: Peter, I am not going to write about the school swimming team’s costumes*. Is that clear?
Mike and Nicole arrive.
MIKE: Hi, what are you doing?
Peter looks at Nicole open-mouthed, Lora touches his chin and closes his mouth.
LORA (bothered): What is she doing here?
MIKE: She wants to write the article with us. It’s great, isn’t it?
PETER: Yes!
LORA: No!
MIKE: Lora, don’t be nasty*!
PETER: Yes, Lora. Don’t be nasty*!
LORA (she accepts, annoyed): All right, all right... Nicole, welcome to the group. I’m Lora and I’m pleased to meet you.
NICOLE: Hello, Lora, nice to meet you too.
The girls and the boys sit on the ground and begin thinking about the topic for the magazine article. All of them are really concentrated on their task* trying to get inspired. Suddenly* Lora smiles, she has had an idea.
NICOLE: I’ve got it! Maybe... Yes, it’s a good idea! We can write a report about what the teachers were like twenty years ago.
PETER: What the teachers were like twenty years ago? Yeah...! That’s a good idea...
MIKE: Yes, I like it (he and the others look at Lora). Lora, what do you say?
LORA: Well... The truth is that... (it’s hard for her to admit that Nicole has had a good idea) It’s a great idea! We will write the best report in the school.
Nicole is glad to have had such a good idea.
NICOLE: Great!
PETER: Well. Let’s go to distribute our tasks*. Nicole and I will be responsible for the graphic documentation. Lora, you and Mike will be responsible for the contents.
MIKE (he’d rather work with Nicole): But...
LORA (she dislikes the distribution, as well): But...
PETER: What’s the matter*? You’re really good at writing, Lora.
LORA (proud*of herself): Yes, I know.
PETER: See you tomorrow at the same time...
LORA (she accepts reluctantly): All right, see you.
MIKE: Bye...
NICOLE: Goodbye...
The students gather their things and leave.
SCENE 4. (CLASSROOM. MORNING)
Lora and Mike are waiting for their classmates, they look at their watches several times. They seem to be waiting for a long time.
MIKE: Why are they so late?
Lora shrugs her shoulders.
MIKE: Do you think Peter likes Nicole?
LORA ( vehemently): Definitely not.
MIKE: I hope you’re right. I think there’s a special feeling between Nicole and I. She is such an intelligent girl. She is so nice. Well, I, when I see her...
Lora looks at Mike bothered, she is worried about where Peter is.
LORA: Mike... shut up*!
Peter and Nicole enter the classroom. They seem to be excited, as if they had shocking news. Peter takes an 8mm movie* projector.
LORA: At last!
MIKE: You’re late, guys*.
PETER: It’s worth the wait. We’ve made made a big discovery.
NICOLE: You can’t imagine what it is. It’s...
LORA (she tries to hide her impatience): Are you going to tell us that?
PETER (he prepares the projector): Mike, turn off* the light.
MIKE (he turns off the light): But... What’s going on*?
All of them are sat watching the movie*. We listen to the sound of the projector and we see its flicker. Peter and Nicole improvise a screen, Lora and Mike look at that impatiently.
PETER: The most exciting movie* you’ve ever seen...
NICOLE: Yes. I’m going to keep watch and make sure nobody comes in (she exits).
MIKE (follows her): I’ll come with you.
LORA: I can’t see anything.
PETER (checks the projector): Wait a minute, let me see...
Lora and Mike check the projector.
LORA: This projector is really old, are you sure that it works?
PETER: Yes, I am. Just wait…
LORA: Now...
PETER: The movie is starting…
At this moment Miss Skinner and the headmaster enter (they are dressed in a parodic way, the spectator must understand they are playing themselves twenty years ago). Miss Skinner and the headmaster hold a poster where we can read OAKS BRITISH SCHOOL 1988. We see the teachers as graduates, it is obvious that they were a couple* then.
PETER: Miss Skinner and the headmaster were a couple* twenty years ago!
LORA: Wow! Amazing*!
The movie ends. Peter turns on the light and begins to dismantle the projector.
PETER: Incredible!
LORA: Where did you find the movie?
PETER: It was with the school’s historical files*. They studied here, you know... We
were looking for the information to write the report when suddenly*...
LORA: I’m tripping.
Nicole and Mike have returned.
MIKE: So, they were a couple*... And they’re both single* now...
NICOLE: Maybe Miss Skinner was the love of the headmaster’s life. He always seems
so sad...
PETER: What are you talking about? That happened twenty years ago!
LORA: Well, love defies time...
MIKE (tries to stop his friends’ delusions): Well, I think the headmaster doesn’t seem sad at all...
Mike and Peter look at each other. They think Lora and Nicole are wrong.
LORA: I have an idea...
PETER: Lora, no...
LORA: Yes! We can try to get them together again!
MIKE AND PETER: Noooo!
NICOLE: Yes!
MIKE: Have you gone mad*?!
PETER: If your idea doesn’t work, we might be expelled* from school.
LORA: Yes, but... What if it works?
Lora and Nicole look at the horizon, they imagine a splendid future.
NICOLE: That’s it! People are much more optimistic when they fall in love.
LORA: Imagine a year without homework, without being punished* with easy exams...
NICOLE: A great year! All of us will get good marks!
LORA: We’ll be able to choose whatever* University we want...
PETER (increasingly convinced): All right, all right. It’s a deal*!
LORA: Great!
Miss Skinner arrives and sits on her desk.
MISS SKINNER: Good morning, everyone.
Lora and Peter look at each other with a knowing smile.
LORA: Good morning...
MISS SKINNER: Well, before starting...
The headmaster enters the class with a book, he hands it to Miss Skinner.
HEADMASTER: You forgot your book, Miss Skinner.
MISS SKINNER (merely paying attention to the headmaster): Oh, thanks, Joseph.
The headmaster leaves. Miss Skinner writes some names and dates on the blackboard* turning her back on the students. Lora gestures for Peter to tell him that they must do something. Lora stands up and goes to the window where there’s a plant, then, she pulls up a flower and puts it on Miss Skinner’s book, along with a note she has written quickly. Peter, nervous, gestures for Lora to hurry up, he is afraid of being discovered.
Miss Skinner finishes writing on the blackboard* and comes back to her desk. When she sees the flower, she gets a bit puzzled, and then she sees the note and reads it in a low voice.
MISS SKINNER: A flower for the most beautiful flower...
Lora and Peter watch the situation really interested in it. Miss Skinner puts the flower and the note in her bag, she looks at the students and smiles, the kids sigh relieved.
A bell rings announcing the end of the class, Miss Skinner and the students stand up, the teacher leaves the classroom.
Peter and Lora are shaking hands when, suddenly, they are surprised by the headmaster,who enters and greets* them.
HEADMASTER: Hello, you two.
LORA: Good morning, Mr Joseph.
PETER: You look especially smart* today...
HEADMASTER (confused): Well, thanks...
LORA: Yes. Miss Skinner is right.
HEADMASTER (surprised): Miss Skinner?
LORA (playing down the importance of her comment): Well, she always remarks that you are such a good-looking* man...
HEADMASTER (glad): Miss Skinner says that?
PETER (allied with Lora): Yes, yes, she always says that...
HEADMASTER (stunned): Well...
LORA: Well, we have to leave, Mr Joseph.
PETER: Have a nice day, Mr. Joseph...
HEADMASTER: Thanks, the same to you.
The headmaster stays in the classroom whistling; when Miss Skinner enters, she is a bit shy about meeting the headmaster.
MISS SKINNER (pointing at her desk): I forgot my book again...
HEADMASTER: I see...
Miss Skinner and the headmaster look at each other for a moment; meanwhile, Miss Skinner lightly touches the flower that she has put on her lapel.
HEADMASTER: A beautiful flower...
MISS SKINNER: Yes...
Miss Skinner takes her book and goes away. The headmaster remains standing, while he looks at the door and smiles. We can see Miss Skinner through the window.
Lora and Peter are hidden behind the door; satisfied, they shake hands again. When the headmaster hears the snap, he realizes the students are still there, although he doesn’t suspect anything.
HEADMASTER: Is everything all right?
PETER Y LORA (at the same time, afraid of being discovered): Yes, yes...
SCENE 5. (CLASSROOM. THE NEXT DAY)
Nicole enters with Peter, who tells her what happened the previous day.
PETER: It was great. Miss Skinner looked all fascinated at the headmaster (he mimics
Miss Skinner’s look), then, suddenly, the headmaster began to whistle* (he whistles the
same song the headmaster whistled before).
NICOLE: Did the headmaster whistle? Well, it means he is really happy with what is happening.
PETER: Yes, and Miss Skinner seemed to be pleased, as well. Everything is going perfectly...
Nicole is laughing, amused by Peter’s comments when Lora and Mike arrive. Lora and Mike don’t seem happy about their friends’ good feeling.
LORA (she clears her throat): Ahem, ahem...
PETER (unaware of Lora’s jealousy): I was telling Nicole what happened yesterday...
MIKE: Lora told me that too.
NICOLE (resolute): O.K., everybody... It’s time to carry out Plan B.
MIKE: Plan B?
(They look at Nicole curiously)
NICOLE: A romantic dinner...
MIKE: Maybe it’s a bit risky*..
PETER: Yes...
LORA: Of course not! It’s a perfect plan!
Peter and Mike look at each other, realizing they have already got into trouble.
MIKE: But...
PETER: But...
LORA: But what?
NICOLE: The headmaster will think Miss Skinner has invited him.
LORA (encouraged by the idea): And Miss Skinner will think that the headmaster has
invited her.
PETER (with disapproval): Oh, my God!
MIKE: Where is the dinner supposed to take place?
LORA: Here!
NICOLE: We’ll prepare it!
MIKE: It’s not a bad idea...
PETER: Don’t let them persuade* you, Mike. It’s not a good idea...
LORA: Come on, boys, we need your help…
PETER (convinced by the girls): I don’t know why I listen to you…
NICOLE (running off): I’m going to buy candles* for the dinner!
MIKE (as usual, he follows Nicole): Wait, I’ll help you pick* the colour of the
candles*.
PETER: But... Mike, we haven’t said yes yet! Mike, wait...
LORA: Come on, Peter... We could get the invitations ready...
PETER: Invitations?
LORA (she takes some cards and two pens from his bag): Yes, you write Miss
Skinner’s invitation and I’ll write the other one.
PETER (he shakes his head, although in the end he accepts): All right...
Lora and Peter sit and concentrate on what they are going to write. While they write, they look at each other several times furtively. It’s obvious that they feel attracted to each other.
LORA (reads her card aloud): Margaret, I have something important to tell you. See you tonight at the high school.
PETER (reads his note): Headmaster, I have something important to tell you. See you tonight at the high school.
LORA: Headmaster?
PETER (while he crosses out this word and writes): You are right. Mr Joseph is better.
LORA: Maybe you could write ‘darling’...
PETER: ‘Joseph’ will be enough...
They insert the cards in two envelopes and leave the classroom. Lora bursts out laughing.
PETER (while he leaves): Lora, you are crazier than I thought.
LORA: Sure.
The classroom is empty for a moment.
SCENE 6 (CLASSROOM. AFTERNOON)
The headmaster enters and begins to write on the blackboard*. Some seconds later,
Peter enters.
PETER (talks to the headmaster as he puts the card on the headmaster’s pocket):
Hello, Mr Joseph. Are you preparing tomorrow’s lesson?
HEADMASTER: Yes...
PETER: You’re always such a good teacher…
HEADMASTER (proud of himself): Well... Thanks, Peter.
PETER (afraid of being discovered): I have to leave, see you tomorrow...
Peter leaves. Through the window we see Miss Skinner, who passes Lora. Lora puts the invitation in Miss Skinner’s bag furtively.
LORA (while she leaves): Have a nice day, Miss Skinner.
MISS SKINNER (unaware of the situation): Have a nice day, Lora.
The headmaster puts his hand in his pocket and finds the invitation, at the same time that Miss Skinner also finds her card, both of them read the notes.
HEADMASTER: Tonight? Well...
The headmaster combs his hair. When we see Miss Skinner through the door, she is still
reading her card. Miss Skinner sees the headmaster and hides the card.
MISS SKINNER: Hello...
HEADMASTER: (shy, he doesn’t know what to say): Too much work?
MISS SKINNER: Yes...
HEADMASTER: Well, see you tonight...
MISS SKINNER (a little embarrassed): Yes...
Miss Skinner leaves, the headmaster follows her with his eyes, he seems to be glad.
HEADMASTER: Great!
SCENE 7. (CLASSROOM. NIGHT)
Lora and Peter are preparing the classroom for the dinner. They turn Miss Skinner’s desk into a romantic table, where they lay a candelabra and a flower. Next to the table, they put an old record player.
LORA: Oh, come on! Spanish omelette?
PETER: What’s the matter? My grandmother taught me to cook it, she is Spanish...
LORA: You could have cooked soufflé or vichyssoise...
PETER: Why don’t you cook it yourself?! If I cook..., Spanish omelette and sandwiches.
LORA: Me? Cooking? Are you kidding*?
PETER: Where are Mike and Nicole?
LORA: Nicole is upstairs preparing the desserts...
PETER: Desserts?
LORA: Sure... We must be as romantic as possible.
PETER: And what about Mike?
LORA: He is looking out for the teachers …
MIKE (voice off): They’re coming, they’re coming...
LORA (as she leaves the classroom): Hurry up, Peter! They are here!
Peter finishes decorating the table, he takes a record in his hand. When he realizes the headmaster has arrived there’s no time for him to leave, so he hides under the table.
The headmaster enters. He looks at the classroom surprised, then he looks at his watch and combs his hair again. A few seconds later, Miss Skinner arrives. She is surprised, as well. The teachers look at each other spellbound.
MISS SKINNER: Well...
HEADMASTER: Well...
MISS SKINNER: An excellent dinner...
HEADMASTER: Sure... (surprised by the menu). It’s really... youthful? Sandwiches
and Spanish omelette...
MISS SKINNER: It’s so special... The same menu we had for dinner twenty years ago,
after the high school dance...
HEADMASTER: That’s true, it’s the same menu...
While teachers talk we see Peter going out very stealthily. Suddenly, Miss Skinner’s fork falls to the floor. Shocked, Peter hits the fork by accident and it shoots out of there. The teachers look astonished at the path of the fork; finally, the headmaster stands up and picks it up. While he is doing this, Lora gives Peter a champagne bottle and he puts it on the table. When Miss Skinner and the headmaster sit down again, they don’t understand how the bottle got there.
MISS SKINNER (she thinks the headmaster has planned everything). Wow...
Everything is so magical...
HEADMASTER (he thinks Miss Skinner has planned everything): Well, maybe it’s your magic eyes...
Peter tries to escape again, we see his hand under the table. When Peter tries to escape, he touches Miss Skinner’s leg unintentionally.
MISS SKINNER (looks at the headmaster surprised): Joseph!
HEADMASTER (he doesn’t understand her behaviour): What?
PROFESSORA: Do you always have to go so fast?
HEADMASTER (he doesn’t understand what is happening): Well, it was just a compliment, because you have really beautiful eyes...
MISS SKINNER (she calms down): The compliment was thoughtful, but, please, don’t touch my leg again...
HEADMASTER (puzzled): Your leg? Well, I may have touched it by accident...
MISS SKINNER: O.K., O.K., I’ll pour the champagne...
She stands up to pour the champagne while the headmaster looks at her seductively.
Then Peter escapes, moving Miss Skinner’s chair. When Miss Skinner goes to sit she
falls down. The headmaster comes to her aid and Peter takes advantage of the situation
to leave the class. Worried, Lora watches the situation through the window.
LORA (in a low voice): Oh, no...
HEADMASTER: Are you O.K.?
MISS SKINNER (annoyed): I would be better if you hadn’t moved my chair...
HEADMASTER: Me?
MISS SKINNER: Please, Joseph, that’s enough! First, you touch my leg, after that, you move my chair... What is your idea of a romantic dinner? What is your next plan? To throw me out of the window?
HEADMASTER: Please, calm down! Besides, I didn’t move your chair.
MISS SKINNER: You are always so childish*!
HEADMASTER: You are always so melodramatic!
MISS SKINNER AND HEADMASTER (they speak at the same time): I don’t know why I accepted your dinner invitation! ( Quiet, they look at each other confused) What? No! You invited me! But...
Peter and Lora watch what is happening through the window, realizing they are in trouble, they run away.
MISS SKINNER: Wait a minute! Didn’t you invite me?
HEADMASTER: No... And you?
MISS SKINNER: Off course not. But... Then... How do you explain this? (she shows her invitation card to the headmaster) Didn’t you write this card?
HEADMASTER (shows her his card): I didn’t... Then...
MISS SKINNER AND HEADMASTER (they realize what has happened): The
students!
HEADMASTER: They will get what’s coming to them. But, first..., we must discover
who has done it.
MISS SKINNER: We have their handwriting, we have evidence...
HEADMASTER (he smiles maliciously): They will pay for it.
SCENE 8 (CLASSROOM. MORNING)
The headmaster is looking at the invitation card he was sent. He taps on the desk while
he stares at Lora and Peter. Lora looks away.
HEADMASTER: As you know, I have the guilty person’s handwriting* and... if this person doesn’t confess, the whole* class will be punished* so it will be his fault.
LORA: Mr Joseph, I’m so sorry, but...
HEADMASTER (he shows her the invitation card): So, is it your handwriting*?
LORA: Well, the truth is that...
HEADMASTER: Please... Just answer yes or no...
LORA: Yes...
HEADMASTER: Right. You are expelled* from high school. (ironic) I suppose you are proud*of yourself...
LORA: Oh, no! Please, let me explain... I... Well, the truth is that... You and Miss Skinner seemed to be so sad. And we saw that movie...
HEADMASTER: We? Are there more students involved in this affair*?
LORA: No, no, it is all my fault...
PETER: That’s not true, I’m also responsible for all that mess.
HEADMASTER (confused): You?
LORA (she tries to exonerate him): But, I was the one who persuaded* you...
Nicole arrives, she also takes her responsibility.
NICOLE: In fact, I agreed with Lora and we both persuaded Peter and Mike.
PETER: You seemed so happy in that movie...
HEADMASTER: What movie?
LORA: We found that with the school’s historical files*… It was your graduation ceremony...
HEADMASTER (remembers his past): Oh, my God! That movie... (he gets serious again) Well, if all of you are responsible for the facts, I cannot expel four students, it would be too much. However, I will think about a punishment.
The bell rings.
SCENE 9. (ENTRANCE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. MORNING)
Lora, Peter and Nicole are cleaning the windows and the walls of the high school, it seems that they have been cleaning for hours.
…….
…….
THE END
GLOSSARY
Affair: a love relationship.
Amazing: incredible.
Anniversary: the celebration of the day on which an important event happened in a
previous year.
Are you kidding?: are you joking?
Blackboard: dark surface on a wall on which a teacher writes with chalk.
Busy: having too many things to do.
Candle: piece of wax with a string in the middle that produces light.
Childish: typical of children.
Costume: clothes you put on for a special purpose.
Couple: two people involved in a love relationship.
Either: a choice between two possibilities.
Enjoy: like.
Enthusiasm: a feeling of strong interest and happiness in regard to something.
Expelled: forced to leave.
Files: stored information.
Get rid of: remove someone or something.
Good-looking: handsome.
Greet: welcome someone.
Guys: boys.
Handwriting: writing with a pen or a pencil.
Headmaster: a male head teacher.
High school: secondary school.
It’s a deal: it’s an agreed.
Mad: crazy.
Maybe: perhaps.
Movie: film.
Nasty: bad or very unpleasant.
Of course: naturally.
Persuade: convince.
Pick: get.
Proud: feeling satisfied with yourself or with someone else.
Punished: made to pay for something wrong you have done.
Risky: dangerous.
Shut up: to stop talking or to make (someone) do this.
Single: not married.
Smart: stylish.
Suddenly: quickly and unexpectedly.
Task: piece of work to be done.
Throw away: get rid of something.
Topic: theme.
Turn off: switch off.
Whatever: anything or everything.
What’s going on?: what is happening?.
What’s the matter?: what is the problem?.
Whistle: to make a sound with your lips.
Whole: everything.
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