Roles in this act:
(Friday night)
Richard: Hot dogs. I love hot dogs. There is nothing better than a hot dog in the country.
Ellen: Hot dogs and mustard.
Richard: Cooked outdoors over an open fire. I wish I had one now.
Ellen: Do you remember when Daddy and I used to take you and Susan and Robbie to Jones Beach?
Richard: Oh, I sure do.
Ellen: We'd wait until dark and make a fire, and we'd cook the hot dogs. Oh, don't forget the mustard. And, oh, does anybody want ketchup?
Richard: I might as well take it along. And now to make sure we've got the hamburger patties. I have to remember to put them in the bag tomorrow morning before we leave.
Ellen: I'll remind you, Richard.
Richard: Mom, we really appreciate your taking care of Max for the weekend and giving up your free time.
Ellen: I love doing it. Susan and Harry have a sitter for Michelle in the city, and I'm taking care of Max. It's no big deal. I am happy to do it for you.
Richard: I guess Max is asleep by now. He's not crying anymore.
Ellen: Oh, poor baby. He's teething.
Marilyn: Well, he's asleep finally. I feel so bad for him. It hurts so much when a baby gets his first teeth.
Ellen: He'll be fine, Marilyn.
Richard: Well, he wakes up several times during the night, and the pain is so bad.
Marilyn: I'm really concerned about going away for the weekend, Ellen, and leaving you with the full responsibility of taking care of Max. Especially with his teething. I wish he felt better.
Ellen: Please don't worry, Marilyn. Remember your father-in-law's a pediatrician. We have a live-in doctor if there's a problem I can't handle.
Richard: I agree, Marilyn. We really don't have to be overly concerned.
(A few minutes later...)
Richard: I'll go upstairs and stay with him until he falls asleep again.
Marilyn: Thanks, Richard. Try putting him across your lap on his stomach. He likes that.
Richard: I"ll try it.
Ellen: When are Susan and Harry Picking you up, Marilyn?
Marilyn: They're coming by at six tomorrow morning, so we can get an early start.
Ellen: That's nice. And you'll have a full day in the country.
Marilyn: And a full night. Tomorrow night we'll be camping out in tents.
Ellen: And coming home on Sunday?
Marilyn: We'll be heading back late in the afternoon.
Ellen: You're going to have the time of your lives. Camping out is such great fun.
Marilyn: We'll have a great time camping out, I'm sure. But I'm still a little worried about you, Ellen.
Ellen: It will be my great pleasure, Marilyn. Remember, it's only one night.
Richard: He's asleep. I think he'll sleep through the night now.
Marilyn: Thanks, honey. I hope he's good when we're away.
Richard: Well, so do I. Now, to check the list of things we need for the camping trip. We need to bring a flashlight.
Ellen: It's in the right-hand drawer, next to the bottle openers.
Richard: Do we have a bottle opener on the list, Marilyn?
Marilyn: No. No bottle opener. Is that one of the things Susan and Harry are bringing?
Richard: No. And we're bring the ketchup, mustard, relish - all that stuff. And cooking utensils. Well, here's the bottle opener, and here's the flashlight.
Ellen: Matches.
Marilyn: Matches?
Richard: Yes, of course. For when we build our campfire. I can't build a fire by rubbing two pieces of wood together.
Marilyn: And don't forget your camera and film, Richard.
Richard: All packed and ready.
Marilyn:
And let's not forget our cassette player and some tapes.
Richard:
Ah.
Marilyn: Some music tapes and some blank tapes so that we can record our thoughts about the trip.
Ellen: Oh, that's a nice idea. An audio diary.
Marilyn: That's what I thought.
Richard: Got it! The cassette player and the tapes.
(Max lets out a wailing cry...)
Roles in this act:
(Saturday afternoon)
Susan: Oh, I love it! Heh... I love it! To be away from the city on such a beautiful day is my idea of heaven! Oh! The grass. The trees. The fresh air!
Harry: I told you you'd like it. I've been doing this for years.
Richard: You have the spirit of a teenager, Susan. Wait till you see yourself jumping around.
Marilyn: That's what I love about Susan. She works hard. She plays hard. She's a real Stewart.
Harry: Come on, Richard. Help me get this stuff out of the car.
Richard: Where does it go?
Harry: Well, we'll put everything over there. We'll set up our tents over there by the edge of the woods. Then we'll be able to make our fire there where it's safe.
Richard: Oh, there's our table and benches. All set for eating.
Harry: That's what makes this spot so good.
Marilyn: Is anybody hungry?
Susan: I am.
Harry: We just got here.
Susan: When you're out in the fresh air like this, it makes you hungry. Aren't you hungry, Marilyn?
Marilyn: I sure am. How about you, Richard?
Richard: Starving.
Harry: You guys are like three kids.
Richard: Aren't you hungry, Harry?
Harry: Well, yeah. Now that you mention it, I guess I am. I mean, how could a guy not be hungry with all this talk about eating?
Marilyn: Where's the bag with the chicken salad sandwiches?
Harry: Right here, next to the ice packs. Here. Put the tablecloth on the picnic table, and I will bring the cola and the plastic cups.
Harry: Well, how do you like it so far?
Richard: I've never been more relaxed.
Marilyn: Me, Neither.
Susan: I wish we had brought Michelle, Harry. She would have loved it.
Marilyn: Oh, You're right. I wish we had brought Max.
Richard: Marilyn, Susan, let's not begin to worry about Michelle and Max. We're having a good time, and they're in good hands.
Harry: Richard is right. Are you having a good time, Susan? You haven't answered my question.
Susan: I am having a good time, Harry. I promise not to think about the city. We're in the country. Let's all just enjoy this wonderful place and this wonderful weather.
Harry: Good.
(Saturday night)
Susan: This is heaven, Harry! It was such a great idea to spend the weekend this way.
Harry: Thanks, Susan. I thought you'd all like it.
Susan: Like it? I love it! Listen to the sounds of the summer that surround us. It's so calming.
Harry: I've always liked camping out. Away from the telephones and account books. It's refreshing for me. I always go back to the city in a wonderful state of mind.
Susan: We've only been here for a day and I've completely forgotten about all my business problems. The office seems so far away.
Harry: I'm glad you like it, Susan. We'll spend many more weekends like this.
Susan: And next time we'll bring Michelle, I wish she were here with us to enjoy the country.
Harry: And next time we'll bring Michelle.
Marilyn: Just listen to the sound. It's so soothing.
Richard: I can hardly keep my eyes open. If only we could bottle the fresh air.
Marilyn: Wouldn't it be wonderful?
Richard: We could call it "Deep Sleep Country Air."
Marilyn: It puts you to sleep. So does the sound. I've been having a hard time keeping my eyes open just listening to it. It's like a special music.
Richard: Too bad we can't bottle the sound.
Marilyn: But we can!
Richard: Can what?
Marilyn: Bottle the sound.
Richard: What are you talking about?
(Marilyn gets out the cassette tape
recorder)
Richard: Oh, yeah? Great idea! Let's do it!
Roles in this act:
Marilyn: I'm so glad everyone is asleep. I thought Max would be crying and everybody would be awake.
Richard: What did I tell you? Nothing to worry about.
Susan: I'm sure everything is fine. My mother knows all there is to know about taking care of babies, I assure you.
Harry: Let's put some of this stuff away and then take off. We've got a forty-minute drive into the city.
Ellen: Welcome home - and I do mean welcome home.
Richard: Something wrong?
Ellen: Oh, nothing's wrong, Richard. Believe me, Max is fine. But his teeth hurt and he just can't get to sleep, poor dear.
Susan: Neither can you.
Marilyn: Oh, I feel so bad.
Ellen: Oh, I'm fine. How was your weekend?
Harry: We had a great time, Mom.
Richard: It was wonderful. The weather couldn't have been better.
Ellen: It was nice here, too.
Marilyn: Did you get a chance to get outside at all?
Ellen: Oh, yes. Grandpa helped me yesterday afternoon. I went to the supermarket to get a few things and I stayed out an extra half hour. The village was filled people - the weather was so nice.
Richard: Harry's a professional camper, Mom. He knows all there is to know and he made the weekend very easy for us to enjoy.
Harry: Come on. You all helped.
Susan: You were wonderful, Harry!
Marilyn: Why don't you go to your room, Mom, and get some sleep.
Ellen: Oh, I'm fine. Tell me more about your weekend. Did you do anything special?
Susan: Lots of special country things. We picked flowers.
Marilyn: And we brought some home for you. It was so nice to be out in the country.
Ellen: They smell wonderful.
Marilyn: Everything smelled so special. It would have been great if we had been able to bottle the smells.
Harry: It would be a great business if you could do that.
Ellen: Oh!
Marilyn: Uh, we're home now, Ellen. We'll take care of it.
Richard: I'll take care of it. Let's see if it works.
Ellen: What's that?
Richard: Um.. a little special country music.
Ellen:
Ohhh...
Susan: I think we'd better head home. It's getting late, and we have a bit of a drive.
Harry: Well, all your things are inside. There's your sleeping bag.
Marilyn: Oh, thanks, Harry.
Harry: Say good-bye to Richard. We'll call you all tomorrow night.
Marilyn: Good-bye.
Susan: Bye, Mom.
Ellen: Bye-bye.
Marilyn: Bye.
Ellen: I'm so tired I think I'm overtired. I don't know if I can get to sleep.
Ellen (sighs): Oh. Max has stopped crying.
Marilyn: Max? It works!
Richard: It works!
Ellen: What works?
Richard (starting the playing of nature sounds on cassette): This.
Ellen: Oh. Oh, where did you get that? It sounds so nice. I think I'm falling asleep.
Richard: Like Max did.
Ellen:
Hmm...
Richard: Good night.
Marilyn: Good night. Sounds of the country. The soothing sounds of the country.
Roles in this act:
Carlson: A little further to the right, Tom.
Tom: Is this OK?
Carlson: Good. What do you think, Richard?
Richard: I like it there.
Carlson: It's the first thing people will see when they come in. It sets the tone for the whole show. The next thing they'll see is this enlargement with the words "Family Album, U.S.A.".
Richard: I can't believe this is really happening!
Carlson: You've earned it. Years of work went into these pictures.
Richard: I know, but it's still a dream come true.
Carlson: Well, remember, we're not sure what the critics are going to write about your show yet. And you never know what the man from the New York Times is going to say about it.
Richard: Are you worried?
Carlson: I always worry. The reviews of this show are important for the sales of your book.
Richard: When do we see the reviews?
Carlson: Soon. One of the critics is coming over this morning for a preview. I hope he's in a good mood.
Richard: So do I. Marilyn and I hope to use money from the sales of this book to buy a new house.
Carlson: The book will be a success. And the show will help promote it.
Richard: Speaking of promoting the book, do I really have to autograph copies for the guests at the opening?
Carlson: It's common practice.
Richard: I feel uncomfortable about it.
Carlson: A lot of people come to openings just so they can get the autograph of somebody who may be famous someday.
Richard: Couldn't we wait until I'm famous?
Carlson: That might be sooner than you think.
Tom:
Put this over here, Mr. Carlson?
Carlson: A little further back, Tom. It's too close to the refreshments.
Richard: No, I think this one belongs in the "people-at-work" section.
Carlson: You may be right. Try it there, Tom.
Tom: Right.
Carlson: Nervous about the opening tonight?
Richard: Nervous? Me? No. I'm scared to death.
Carlson: How about guests? How many people will you be bringing?
Richard: Well, my family, I guess. My wife Marilyn, my father and mother, my brother Robbie, my sister and her husband and their daughter. And my grandfather. Is that too many?
Carlson: No such thing as" too many" at an opening.
Richard: I hope they like it.
Carlson: Your family or the public?
Richard: Everybody. But especially my family. They've stood by me through all this.
Carlson: I'm sure they'll like it.
Mitchell: Harvey, how are you?
Carlson: Mitchell, so nice of you to come. Richard, this is Mitchell Johnson. Mitchell is one of the most important syndicated reviewers in the country.
Mitchell: Well, you're the young man who did all this.
Richard: I'm afraid so.
Mitchell: Nice to meet you.
Richard: Nice to meet you, Mr. Johnson.
Carlson: Mitchell has always encouraged new talent.
Mitchell: Well...you mind if I look around and see what it says to me?
Carlson: Be our guest.
Mitchell: Mm-hmm, hmm, uh-huh.
Richard: What does that mean when he goes, "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm"?
Carlson: It probably means he's clearing his throat. I don't know.
Tom: I don't care what the critics say, Mr.Stewart. Your work is brilliant.
Richard: Thank you, Tom.
Carlson: Tom is studying photography at NYU. He's working with me during the summer months as an intern.
Richard: Oh, really? I'd like to see your work.
Tom: It's not good enough to show. I'm still learning.
Richard: Oh, I'd still like to see your work. You may be the next Ansel Adams and not even know it.
Tom: If you really mean it, I'll bring some of my pictures into the gallery.
Richard: I do mean it.
Mitchell: Very interesting pictures, Mr.Stewart. You have a most unusual eye.
Richard: Thank you. I hope that's a compliment.
Mitchell: It is.
Carlson: Are you going to be reviewing the show, Mitchell?
Mitchell: Oh, yes. It's definitely worth reviewing.
Carlson: Favorably?
Mitchell: Oh, you know I never answer that question, Harvey. I'd like an advance copy of the book, though, so I can study it.
Carlson: I have an autographed one in my office. Tom, would you give Mr. Johnson the copy of Richard's book on my desk?
Tom: Just follow me, Mr. Johnson.
Mitchell: Sure.
Richard: Do you think he liked my photographs?
Carlson: We'll know when tonight's papers come out. Keep your fingers crossed.
http://www.tudou.com/playlist/p/l9634455i42107834.html
Roles in this act:
Marilyn: Do you like the dress?
Richard: I love it.
Marilyn: I designed it myself.
Richard: It's beautiful.
Marilyn: Are you ready? We're supposed to be there before the guests arrive.
Richard: I know. I know. Help me with this tie, will you? Honey, I'm scared to death.
Marilyn: But this is what you've been working for all these years.
Richard: No, no. I worked to put together a book of photographs. This is show business.
Marilyn: Well, it's all part of the same job. Just relax and enjoy it.
Richard: You're right. I earned this and I'm going to enjoy it. As soon as I recover from my nervous breakdown.
Marilyn: What are you afraid of?
Richard: Everything. A critic was there this morning. He probably hates my work. I have to sign copies of my book for a lot of people I never met before. My new shoes hurt my feet...
Marilyn: You're going to be a great success. Are you ready?
Richard: As soon as I get these cuff links on.
Marilyn: Let me help. Mom and Dad are already on their way down to the gallery.
Marilyn: There! You look very attractive.
Richard: Thank you. Well, I suppose I've run out of excuses.
Marilyn: Mm-hmm. Let's go...
Richard: Oh, one minute. Before we go to the gallery, I just want to tell you that I never could have done this book without your help and your love. I appreciate it.
Marilyn: Thanks. Now, no more stalling.
(At the Gallery)
Marilyn: What is it?
Richard: There's nobody here!
Marilyn: Of course not, Richard. Your show doesn't begin until eight thirty.
Richard: Oh. Right.
Carlson: Richard! Welcome! Good luck tonight!
Richard: Well, thanks. This is my publisher. Harvey Carlson. You've met my wife Marilyn...
Carlson: Charmed.
Marilyn: Hi.
Richard: My mother, Ellen Stewart. Harvey Carlson.
Carlson: It's good to meet you.
Ellen: It's nice to meet you.
Richard: This is my father, Dr. Philip Stewart...
Philip: Nice to meet you, Mr. Carlson.
Richard: My brother Robbie...
Robbie: Hi.
Carlson: Hi.
Richard: And this is my sister Susan and her husband Harry Bennett and his daughter Michelle.
Carlson: It's nice to meet you.
Richard: And this gentleman is my grandfather, Malcolm Stewart.
Carlson: Welcome, Mr. Stewart. Well, make yourselves comfortable. There are hors d'oeuvres at the table, fruit punch at the bar. Help yourselves. Can I get you something, Mr. Stewart?
Grandpa: No, thank you.
Carlson: You can feel very proud of your grandson, Mr.Stewart.
Grandpa: I do. I'm proud of all my grandchildren, Mr.Carlson.
Carlson: Of course. Feel free to look around. If you need anything, just ask.
Grandpa: Thank you.
Richard: Harvey?
Carlson: Yes?
Richard: Did Mitchell Johnson's review come out yet?
Carlson: Not yet. The newspapers don't come out till about ten o'clock. When they come out, we'll get it.
Richard: Thanks.
(A few minutes later...)
Carlson: Ready?
Richard: Yes. Have the people arrived?
Carlson: The guests are waiting. Tom's about to open the doors. Good luck! And stop worrying! They're going to love it.
http://www.tudou.com/playlist/p/l9634455i42099039.html
Roles in this act:
Richard: What's this?
Carlson: Read it.
Richard: I can't. Would you read it, Marilyn?
Marilyn: "Richard Stewart's show at the Carlson Gallery is a collection of photographs from his new book entitled 'Family Album, U.S.A.'. There is power and beauty in Mr. Stewart's work, and his book introduces us to a remarkable new talent." Oh, Richard, it's wonderful!
Carlson: Congratulations!
Richard: Wow! I'm overwhelmed!
Carlson: Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention for a moment, please? I hope you're all enjoying the exhibition. I know that I am. And I would like to introduce the young man who spent the last five years taking these remarkable pictures and writing the background for "Family Album, U.S.A." - Mr. Richard Stewart.
Richard: Hello. I want to thank all of you for coming here tonight. I'd like to thank Harvey Carlson for his faith in my project. But most of all, I would like to thank my family for their love and support all through this adventure. Thank you.
(Later that evening...)
Richard: Oh, I'm glad that's over.
Tom: Would you mind?
Richard: Oh, not at all.
Tom: Thanks.
Richard: Our pleasure. Hope it wins a Pulitzer Prize.
Tom: I'll settle for an "A" in my photography course.
Carlson: Ah, Richard, Marilyn, I want you to meet John O'Neill.
Richard: Oh, how do you do ?
Marilyn: Nice to meet you.
O'Neill: I've been looking forward to meeting your husband, Mrs. Stewart. I'm really impressed by your show.
Richard: Thank you.
O'Neill: In fact, I'd like your autograph.
Richard: Oh, well, really...
O'Neill: On a contract.
Richard: What's this about, Harvey?
Carlson: Mr. O'Neill is the publisher of several magazines.
Marilyn: Of course. I've seen you on television.
Carlson: Mr. O'Neill was so impressed with your work that he wants to develop it into a magazine concept.
Richard: Well, that sounds very exciting, but where would I fit into the plan?
O'Neill: I'd like you to be the photo editor of the magazine.
Marilyn: Oh, Richard, how exciting!
Carlson: It's a wonderful opportunity, Richard.
Richard: Hold on. Wait a minute, please.
Carlson: What's the problem, Richard?
Richard: The problem is that I'm a photographer, not an editor. I like what I do. In fact, I love what I do...which is going out with a camera and a roll of film and seeing the wonder of humanity. Now, I appreciate your offer, but I've worked so hard on "Family Album, U.S.A." and I'm giving some thought to a new book on a different subject. I'm flattered, but I enjoy taking pictures, and I want to continue doing that. Thank you, but I'm happy being a photographer.
O'Neill: I understand, Richard.
Carlson: Richard, I know your next book will be a success. Congratulations!
Richard: Thanks.
Marilyn: You're a real Stewart!
Richard: Thanks.
(the end)